The Third Sub: Recent Episodes
The Third Sub
A podcast covering all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Soccer and more. Hosted by Samuel Rowan of 86Forever and Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic of btsvancity, they look to take a look at the ins and outs of the beautiful game in Vancouver and the rest of Canada.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Pacific FC, Vancouver FC, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they take a look at the latest for the Whitecaps, who are getting set to make a rare trip to Boston to take on the New England Revolution in MLS play.
A place where they've struggled to win in the past, they take a look at how they might be primed to change that this time around, with the Revolution entering this match with the second-worst record in all of MLS, even if they've been trending in the right direction lately.
After that, they take a look at the latest out of the CPL, where the two BC teams had solid road draws, with Pacific drawing Halifax 0-0 and Vancouver drawing York 2-2. They take a look at where the two teams sit now, and who has more upside to make a run this summer.
Lastly, they dive into the latest out of League 1 BC, which included a wild pair of matches between Burnaby FC and Rivers FC that Alex went to, which he dives into.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Pacific FC, Vancouver FC, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who beat the Colorado Rapids to enter the June international break on a high note with back-to-back wins. They look back at what stood out from that Rapids win, which showed the importance of Damir Kreilach, the continued value of the 3-5-2 and changed the perspective some may have on the 'Caps centre back options.
From there, they take a look at the 'Caps season to date, having now played 16 games in MLS play, seeing if their hot start to the year or their quieter second quarter is a fairer indication of what this team is nearing the halfway point.
Continuing on from there, they take a look at a mixed weekend for BC's CPL teams as Pacific drew Cavalry, while Vancouver fell 2-0 to Valour.
Then, to round things off, they take a look at the latest out of League 1 BC, before wrapping up by looking at the Vancouver Whitecaps upcoming Concacaf W Champions Cup adventure, where they have the potential to play some heavy-hitters if all goes well for them this summer.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver FC, Pacific FC, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they take a look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, who went through quite the emotional rollercoaster this week.
First, they hit a big low on the weekend, as they fell 2-1 to a rotated Inter Miami side in front of over 50 000 fans, many of which were there to see the stars Miami elected to keep at home for this game, making it a double-whammy of sorts to then lose that game.
Then, eager to respond after their winless streak in MLS play was extended to six games in that Miami loss, they snapped that drought in midweek, beating a struggling Sporting KC side 2-1 on the road for their first MLS win since late April.
They dive into what stood out from those two matches, as the 'Caps embraced a bit of a different identity for the SKC game, one that they might be wise to use more going forward, and they look at why that is the case.
From there, they finish off the 'Caps chatter by previewing their next game, a home clash against the Colorado Rapids at BC Place this weekend, one where revenge will be on the minds of the 'Caps after losing a frustrating one to the Rapids earlier this month.
Continuing on from there, they take a look at what's stood out in MLS in "Around MLS in 5", diving into some intriguing trends that have emerged across the league over the last few weeks.
Returning to more domestic chatter, they take a look at the latest from BC's CPL teams, who happened to face off in the fifth edition of the 'Salish Sea Derby', which Vancouver FC won 2-1 despite giving up the opening goal to Pacific FC. Both on site for that game, Alex and Sam look back at what stood out from that one.
Lastly, they take a quick look back at a busy weekend of League 1 BC action, before seeing what awaits this weekend, as many in the circuit start to near the midway point of their campaigns.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Pacific FC, Vancouver FC, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they take a look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, who picked up a draw on the road against the Seattle Sounders after a late equalizer on the weekend, before narrowly advancing past Cavalry FC in the Canadian Championship quarter-finals on away goals after a 1-0 loss at home on Tuesday.
With the 'Caps now winless in five straight in MLS play, and in six of their last seven games in all competitions, they dive into what they're most worried about during this slump, as the offence has gone ice-cold while the defence has continued to give up preventable goals.
And now, the Whitecaps must put this slump behind them, quickly, as their toughest match of the season awaits them this weekend - a clash against a red-hot Inter Miami side in front of a sold-out BC Place crowd this weekend. A match that's massive for the 'Caps for many reasons beyond the actual match itself, there would be no better match for the 'Caps to win and bust this slump, so they look at how realistic of a possibility that is.
They then round off their MLS chatter with "Around MLS in 5", as they take a look at some intriguing results from the league's "Rivalry Week".
From there, they continue the show with some CPL discussion, as Vancouver picked up a massive away win over Forge, while Pacific fell to first-place Atlético Ottawa, putting both teams within one point of each other as they get set for their first Salish Sea Derby of 2024 this upcoming weekend.
Lastly, they take a look around League 1 BC, as the league nears its halfway point of their campaign already, with some teams now up to five games on the year.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, CPL, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they take a look at the Whitecaps, who are officially slumping after back-to-back losses to LAFC and the Colorado Rapids, which now leaves them without a win in four straight MLS games.
Despite that, the sky isn't falling, and they explain why they feel that's the case, with some key numbers helping explain the story.
From there, they take a look at the big Whitecaps news of the week, which was the bi-annual tradition MLS fans have gotten used to - salary release day, in which the MLSPA reveals how much each player in the league earns. An agent's favourite day and a sporting director's nightmare, they see who stands out on the Whitecaps, who have a whole host of names on interesting figures.
Then, to round off Whitecaps chatter, they take a look at the 'Caps upcoming game, a Cascadia Cup clash against rivals Seattle Sounders in Seattle, in their second match there in a month.
Can the Whitecaps catch lightning in a bottle and win there again after their previous struggles at Lumen Field? They see how realistic that is.
Continuing on, they dive into some Canadian Premier League chatter, as they take a look at Vancouver FC's clash against Atlético Ottawa, and then Pacific FC's clash against Forge, as both BC teams picked up a pair of home draws against tough opposition in CPL play.
Lastly, they take a look at the latest of League 1 BC, as that season starts to heat up in both the men's and women's division.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this shortened 204th(.5) episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about the Vancouver Whitecaps' upcoming matchup against the Colorado Rapids.
Will the Whitecaps be able to bounce back from their 3-0 loss to LAFC? What to expect of this up-and-down Rapids side? How will the Whitecaps match up with the Rapids?
They take a look at all of that, and more, in a jam-packed, 30-minute episode of the show.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, CPL, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, who had a mixed week of results, as they drew Austin FC 0-0 in MLS play, before dispatching Cavalry FC 2-1 in the first leg of their Canadian Championship quarter-final.
They look at what stood out in both games, as the 'Caps began to navigate what will be a busy month of May, one filled with midweek matches. From controversial refereeing decisions to their struggles with low blocks, and their ability to rotate their squad better than ever, they look at the big storylines from those two matches.
Speaking of that busy Whitecaps calendar, they're now getting set for their third game in less than eight days, as they travel to Los Angeles to take on LAFC in a rematch of their first-round 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs matchup. Can the Whitecaps get some revenge from that series? It's not an unreasonable possibility, and they explore why that is the case.
Continuing on, they take a look at what stood out from around MLS this past weekend, as well as what awaits this upcoming matchday, in "Around MLS in 5".
Nearing the end of the show, they dive into another mixed week for the BC CPL teams, as Pacific maintained their status as a defensive force, while Vancouver FC's road woes continued.
Lastly, they take a look at the second matchday of League 1 BC action, as the Whitecaps women continue to fly, while the TSS Rovers' men made a flying entrance, with some interesting results from Burnaby FC and Altitude FC's home matches rounding off another intriguing week of action across the circuit.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, CPL, League 1 BC and much more in a jam-packed show.
To begin, they dive into the latest from the Whitecaps, who travelled out east to take on the New York Red Bulls in MLS action. There, they had to split the spoils in a 1-1 draw despite a solid performance, one where they could've snatched a win if not for an unfortunate error from Yohei Takaoka.
They dive into why that was the case, and then look at the conundrum that the 'Caps have with Takaoka, who has been excellent to start the year, but continues to battle one consistent struggle - crosses.
After that, they preview the 'Caps next match, a home clash against a surging Austin FC, in which they'll celebrate the club's 50th anniversary. A game that promises to have a strong crowd, it's a good opportunity for the 'Caps to keep climbing up the standings, something that they'll look to take advantage of in front of their fans.
Lastly, they round off their Whitecaps chat by looking at their recently announced friendly against Wrexham, and the good and bad surrounding that match for the team, and more specifically for the club's fans - new and old.
Continuing on, they take a look around MLS in "Around MLS in 5", diving into what stood out from another busy weekend of league action.
From there, they dive into some CPL action, as Vancouver FC hit a wall in a 3-0 road loss to York United, while Pacific grinded out a gutsy 0-0 draw with Cavalry, as both teams dealt with their first taste of road action this CPL season.
Finally, they round off the show by looking at the start of the League 1 BC campaign this past weekend, with Sam recapping his adventures at Burnaby FC's first-ever games, which they hosted against Harbourside, before they looked at what else stood out from around the league on opening weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, CPL, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they take a look at the latest Whitecaps match, which came this past weekend in Seattle. There, they made history, winning their first game in the Emerald City since 2016, snapping a lengthy winless drought at Lumen Field with a 2-0 result over their Cascadia Cup rivals, the Seattle Sounders.
Thanks to that, they resumed their strong start to the season after a setback last weekend against the LA Galaxy, doing so off the back of a return to basics defensively, along with some intriguing tweaks elsewhere in the lineup.
Now, they head into one of their biggest matchups of this young season, an inter-conference matchup against a red-hot New York Red Bulls side, one that may be the stiffest test this 'Caps team has faced to date, and Alex and Sam share why they think that is.
Then, to round off the Whitecaps chatter, they take a look at a bit of surprise transfer news, as the Whitecaps made a primary transfer window deadline signing, bringing in Australian wing back Giuseppe Bovalina to fortify their ranks out wide, so they see what to expect from Bovalina.
From there, they take a look at what stood out from around MLS this weekend, as well as what to look forward to in the next matchday, in "Around MLS in 5".
Continuing on, they take a look over at the Canadian Premier League, where the two BC teams, Pacific and Vancouver FC, maintained their hot starts to the CPL season with wins this weekend, as they both sit with two wins from two games so far.
Lastly, they round things off with some important BC Soccer news, as the Canadian Championship started this week, a new League 1 BC season is back this weekend, and the Whitecaps women's side is set to play in an intriguing new continental competition later this summer.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, Canadian Premier League and more.
To begin, they take a look at the Whitecaps, who were unable to win their third straight game, falling 3-1 to the LA Galaxy at BC Place. As a result, they finished the weekend in second place in the Western Conference, as the Galaxy overtook them with that win.
Due to a lack of clinical edge at both ends of the pitch, as the 'Caps were unable to take their chances in the attack and made some key defensive errors, the Galaxy would punish them for both of those things, allowing them to take a well-deserved victory in the end.
Despite that, there's a lot to be encouraged about this one for Vancouver, even if it might not have immediately felt like it, and they look at why that's the case.
From there, they take a look ahead at the 'Caps next game, a clash in Seattle against Cascadian rivals, the Seattle Sounders. There, the 'Caps will have a big task on their hands, as they look to win their first game in Seattle since March of 2016.
Yet, while Seattle hasn't typically treated them well in the past, there's reasons for optimism in this matchup, as Alex and Sam outline.
Continuing on, they take a look around MLS in "Around MLS in 5" to round off the first part of the show, seeing what stood out this weekend in the league, and what to keep an eye on this upcoming matchday.
Lastly, they dive into the opening weekend of CPL action in part two, one that saw the two BC CPL teams get off to flying starts, as Pacific defeated the Halifax Wanderers 1-0 and Vancouver FC downed Valour 4-1 to open their 2024 campaigns on high notes.
Now, they'll both look to build off that in week two, with Vancouver set to host Halifax, while Pacific welcomes Valour, as they try to make it 6/6 points to start the year.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, the Canadian Premier League and more.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who continued their strong start to the 2024 MLS season with a big 4-0 win over their Canadian rivals, Toronto FC. Thanks to that, the 'Caps finished the weekend sitting atop the Western Conference, and second in MLS on points with 13 through six games, as they remain one of the hottest teams in MLS right now.
With that in mind, they take a look at what stood out from that Whitecaps performance, which was their most complete of the season, as they executed their game plan to perfection. Along with some strong individual showings, headlined by Alessandro Schöpf, Ryan Gauld and Bjørn Inge Utvik, among others, that proved to be the perfect combination for a big night for Vancouver.
From there, they take a look ahead at the 'Caps next game, a crucial home clash with the LA Galaxy, in a battle of two of the most in-form teams in MLS, as the Galaxy currently sit in second place in the Western Conference, just 1 point behind the 'Caps. Thanks to a strong offence, one that has been potent enough to overcome a struggling defence, the Galaxy have been able to ride some high-scoring wins to their current position near the top of the table, which should lead to an entertaining matchup between them and Vancouver.
Moving on, they then have a look around the league in "Around MLS in 5", as they recap a busy weekend of action, one that saw the return to form of a few familiar names in the West.
Then, in the second half of the show, they dive into some CPL chatter, as they preview the upcoming 2024 season, the league's sixth in its existence, which promises to be their best yet.
First, they dive into the league's two BC teams, Vancouver FC and Pacific FC, looking at their new signings, players to watch, their expectations for the season and more. Lastly, they then finish things off by diving into their predictions for how the 2024 CPL table will end up, giving an idea of what the two BC teams will be up against if they're to both make the playoffs this year.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS.
To begin, they dive into the latest Whitecaps match, a clash with their Cascadian rivals, the Portland Timbers, who they welcomed to BC Place this past weekend.
There, the Whitecaps went through quite the emotional rollercoaster, as they won 3-2 after blowing a 2-0 lead, allowing them to climb to second in the Western Conference.
They look at what to take away from that Whitecaps performance, one where they showed a lot of good things on both sides of the ball, but were let down by their execution, especially defensively, which allowed the Timbers to grow into the game.
Despite that, the 'Caps did enough to win on the day thanks to their strong start and finish, as they continued to show their maturity as a side through the early days of this 2024 MLS season.
After that, they took a look at the 'Caps next game, a clash with Canadian rivals Toronto FC, who they'll face at BC Place this weekend.
A clash of two teams that have started quite well, they dive into what to expect from this upstart TFC side, who is clicking nicely under new manager John Herdman, before seeing how the 'Caps might match up to that, setting the table for what should be a pretty cagey matchup.
Lastly, they take a look around MLS in "Around MLS in 5", seeing what happened around the league amid another chaotic weekend of action.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS as the 2024 MLS season rolls on.
To begin, they take a look back at the Whitecaps latest match, a 2-1 home loss to RSL this past weekend, in which the 'Caps fell 2-1 for a third straight game against RSL.
And, much like their previous two RSL losses, which both came in 2023, the Whitecaps also opened the scoring in the first half, before collapsing with two second-half goals, which will certainly give some fans deja vu.
Yet, that can be pinned on several factors, which they dive into, including some rare mistakes from what has been an otherwise excellent defensive group in 2024, some continued struggles up front and a key injury to Brian White that ended up hurting them at a crucial time.
From there, they take a look ahead to what awaits the 'Caps this week, as they get set for a Cascadia Cup matchup against the Portland Timbers, continuing a four-game homestand at BC Place.
A resurgent Timbers side, one led by new head coach Phil Neville and a bunch of new signings, including a trio of Canadians in Kamal Miller, Maxime Crépeau and James Pantemis, this promises to be a good matchup, as battles between these two rivals always are.
Two teams who believe they can compete near the top of the Western Conference by the end of the year, it's a good measuring stick game, especially after inconsistent starts from both teams.
Lastly, Alex and Sam take a look around MLS in "Around MLS in 5", seeing what stood out from a strange international break matchweek, before previewing what awaits teams this upcoming weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps along with some MLS and CPL chat.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of Whitecaps land, as they continued a strong start to their 2024 MLS season with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas this past weekend.
Their second straight road win, they dive into what stood out for the 'Caps in that one, as they made some key lineup tweaks and were rewarded for it after a gutsy and professional performance.
From there, they take a look ahead at what awaits the 'Caps this week, as they get set to face Real Salt Lake at BC Place on Saturday, in a game where they can climb to the top of MLS's Western Conference table with a win.
It won't be easy, as RSL can be a tough unit to crack, but they look at what the 'Caps will need to do if they're able to grab a third straight win.
Then, continuing on, they take a look at what stood out from around MLS this week in "around the MLS in 5", looking at some key games from last weekend in MLS.
Lastly, they take a look over at the Canadian Premier League, where teams are dropping fire kits left, right and centre, with both BC teams leading the charge in that regard.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as their MLS season continues.
This week, they've got a lot to talk about, too, as the Whitecaps claimed their first win of the season with a 2-0 road result over a struggling San Jose Earthquakes side that has now lost three games to start 2024.
The 'Caps took full advantage of that in this game, too, playing a low-event game for 60 minutes before breaking things open late to grab the win via the contributions of a couple of substitutes, including Alessandro Schöpf and Ali Ahmed, who each scored.
From there, they take a look at what this game has taught us about the 'Caps, who continue to defend quite well but haven't quite clicked offensively, as they still try and figure out what their best attacking mix is.
After that, they dive into the 'Caps next match, another Western Conference road clash against FC Dallas, who is reeling after back-to-back losses following an opening-day win. Because of that, the 'Caps will feel primed to make it 7 out of 9 points to start the year, especially as Dallas deals with some big injuries to some key attackers.
Lastly, they chat some MLS in "around MLS in 5", seeing what games stood out from an entertaining matchday 3, in which chaos and goals were the theme of the day, before diving into what they're looking forward to in matchday 4, where some big games await for a few early-season darlings.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to discuss all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they continue to start their MLS season.
To begin, they take a look at this past weekend, where the 'Caps hosted Charlotte FC in front of a record crowd for a 'Caps home opener at BC Place, as both teams combined for a 1-1 draw.
A game that was there to win for Vancouver after a slow start, they just couldn't get the job done on the day, as they continue to struggle with getting points out of the gates early.
Despite that, there were still some positive signs, such as the play of Yohei Takaoka in goal and his backline in front of him, as well as what the midfield pivot of Andrés Cubas and Pedro Vite showed in the second half. At the same time, there are some areas to monitor, such as the 'Caps offensive group, which struggled in this game.
After that, they take a look ahead to the 'Caps next match, a road clash with the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend, in which Vancouver will look to get their first win against a reeling 'Quakes side, one who has come tumbling out of the gates with two losses.
Lastly, they take a look around MLS in their weekly whiparound, seeing what games stood out from this past weekend, and what to watch out for heading into this matchday.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they get set for the start of their 2024 MLS season.
As a result, they dive into the 'Caps home opener this weekend, with Vancouver set to host Charlotte FC at BC Place to kick off their MLS campaign.
A Charlotte side they've played just once before in their history, they look at what to expect from Dean Smith's team, as the English manager has quickly stamped out an identity for his new team to believe in after arriving this offseason.
Yet, for the 'Caps, they won't be too worried about that, as they'll look to come out with a win by focusing on themselves, beginning their quest to push towards becoming an elite MLS team.
After some chatter on what to expect by Charlotte, they take a look at how they expect Vancouver to line up, as well as what battles to watch out for in this game, one that could prove to be quite the contrast tactically.
Then, as usual, they predict the Whitecaps starting XI, as well as what they feel the score will be on the day.
Lastly, they debut a new section, "Around in MLS in 5-10", as they take a quick look at what's caught their eye around MLS this past weekend, from surprise domination in Portland and business as usual in Columbus, before looking ahead to what they'll have their eye on this week.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of the start of their 2024 MLS season.
To begin, they take a look at the latest news out of Whitecaps land, as a few key 2023 pieces departed for new clubs in Richie Laryea, who joined Toronto FC, and Junior Hoilett, who joined Aberdeen. Meanwhile, closer to home, the 'Caps made one move ahead of the roster compliance deadline this weekend, signing veteran goalkeeper Joe Bendik as their third-string goalkeeper.
Rounding off the news section, they then take a look at the 2024 Canadian Championship draw, which occurred this week, where the Whitecaps learned their path towards a potential threepeat in that competition, with the potential for a first-ever Greater Vancouver derby potentially in the cards.
Finally, they take a look back at what they learned from the Whitecaps Concacaf Champions Cup tie with Tigres, in which the Whitecaps fell 4-1 across both legs, a score that probably flattered Tigres in the end.
From there, they dive into a jam-packed second half of the show, in which they previewed the Whitecaps 2024 season, looking at the team's outlook, rating their offseason and predict how they'll do in the three competitions they have remaining this year.
Can the 'Caps finish top 3 in the West? Can they win another Canadian Championship? Is this the year they get over the hump in the playoffs? What's the best and worst case scenario?
They dive into all of those big questions, and much more, to help preview what should be one of the biggest 'Caps seasons since they've come into MLS.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the Concacaf Champions Cup.
To begin, they take a look back at the Whitecaps opening Champions Cup game, their leg one matchup of their round one tie against Tigres, which they played last Wednesday at Starlight Stadium in Langford.
There, the Whitecaps showed well, too, drawing 1-1 in a game where they probably could've won, if not for some rust in the final third and some late Andre-Pierre Gignac magic, which was enough for Tigres to leave with a slight edge in the end.
Despite that, however, the 'Caps have a chance heading into the second leg of this tie, and they dive into why that is the case, with the leg one performance being a big reason for belief.
From the strong tactical growth that Vancouver showed to the impressive performances of individuals such as Mathías Laborda and Pedro Vite, they take a look at why this 'Caps side should remain optimistic as they head into a hostile environment.
Speaking of, they then finished off the episode by previewing leg two of this tie, held at Tigres's Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, where a hungry Tigres is waiting after a big 3-0 road win against Santos Laguna in Liga MX action.
Will they be tired enough for the 'Caps to catch them asleep? Or will they use that big win as a momentum-booster?
They take a look at that, and other permutations, to get everyone set for that big Valentine's Day matchup.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Concacaf Champions Cup, 2026 World Cup and more.
To begin, they dive into the big news of the week - the Vancouver Whitecaps are finally back in competitive action, as they get set to take on Tigres UANL in the first round of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup this week.
Because of that, they dive into everything you need to know ahead of the first leg of the tie, including what to expect from Tigres, how the 'Caps are looking after preseason, tactics, and much more.
After that, they take a look at the latest news out of the Whitecaps land, as they announced a couple of fun Canadian signings this week - the signing of Canadian centre back Belal Halbouni to a first-team deal, and the signing of local academy product Jeevan Badwal to a second-team deal.
Lastly, they share their thoughts on the biggest soccer news out of British Columbia this week, that being that Vancouver will get to host seven games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a minimum of two Canadian games.
From the impact of being able to host those Canadian games, to the power of that tournament, they chat about why this tournament has the potential to be so special for the city of Vancouver, as well as Canada as a whole.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps.
To begin, they take a look at the big news out of Whitecaps land, which is that they've finally signed a centre-back; 27-year-old Norweigan, Bjørn Inge Utvik, who became the club's latest signing this week.
As a result, they share their thoughts on what Inge Utvik can bring to the table, before looking at if the signing can be considered a 'premium move', one that can define this offseason as a win.
After that, they take a look at some other important Whitecaps contract news, as the club announced that they re-signed Ryan Gauld and Triston Blackmon to new contracts this week, securing their futures with the team.
Continuing from there, they then take a look at how the Whitecaps preseason slate has gone so far in Marbella, as they've played four friendlies in preparation for their upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup tie with Tigres in early February.
Speaking of that tie, they then chat about what to expect from Tigres in that tie, as they've started their Liga MX Clausura campaign on fire, quickly climbing up the table as they get set for this Whitecaps game.
Lastly, they take a look at some exciting 'Caps news, and that's the leak of their new kit, which dropped thanks to a EA Sports, who accidentally released a bunch of new MLS kits in EAFC 24 over the weekend, including Vancouver's brand-new 50th anniversary top.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps.
To begin, they look at the biggest news out of Whitecaps-land, and that's the signing of veteran MLS forward Fafà Picault, who was inked as a free agent last week.
They take a look at what Picault could bring to the table, before looking at what his signing means for the team's roster build, as they continue to load up on veterans ahead of the 2024 season.
Afterwards, they look at the latest surrounding Richie Laryea, who remains in limbo thanks to a strange MLS rule, one that puts a return to the Whitecaps in doubt.
Continuing on, they take a look at some interesting chatter surrounding Ryan Raposo, who has attracted some interest from abroad, which could force the Whitecaps to make a tough decision about his future.
Lastly, they dive into some of the interesting names on the Whitecaps training camp roster, including some new faces and some exciting youngsters, seeing what to expect from them over the next few weeks.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they get set to report to preseason on January 6th following a couple of months off.
To begin, they chat about the biggest news out of Whitecaps land from the last month, which includes the signing of MLS veteran Damir Kreilach, the potential departure of Simon Becher, the re-signing of Seb Berhalter, and the rumours surrounding the futures of Richie Laryea, Ryan Gauld, and Andrés Cubas.
Then, they take a look at where this Whitecaps roster is at heading into 2024, and what they'll need to do over the next 4-8 weeks to maximize Sam and Alex's "Project 2024 - MLS Cup or bust".
After, they take a look at some other 'Caps news, including the release of their MLS schedule (which includes a first-ever meeting with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami), as well as their Concacaf Champions Cup draw (where they'll meet a familiar foe in Tigres... in an unfamiliar location).
Lastly, they take a look at some other news around world soccer, including the infiltration of some CanMNT regulars on the Portland Timbers, a big week for Theo Bair, and more.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps.
To begin, they chat about the big news out of Whitecaps land at the moment, which is that first-team head coach Vanni Sartini will be suspended for the first six games of the 2024 MLS season, following Sartini's actions and comments addressed towards referee Tim Ford in game #2 of the Whitecaps first round MLS Cup playoff matchup with LAFC.
First, they look at what that suspension means for the Whitecaps, before diving into what this suspension and that of FC Cincinnati's Matt Miazga for a similar offence involving an official, and what that could mean for the future of refereeing in MLS.
After that, they take a trip down memory lane, diving into their 2023 preseason predictions, and seeing what they got right and wrong, reflecting on how the team performed relative to their earlier expectations.
Then, after that, they take a look at some year-end awards, as they conduct the fourth-annual Third Sub awards, giving out the usual hardware like MVP, unsung hero, Third Sub of the year and more to players on the team.
Lastly, they finish off the episode with some bold predictions, as they take a stab at some wacky things that could potentially happen in Whitecaps land over the next 12 months.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they begin their offseason remodeling ahead of the 2024 campaign.
To begin, they take a look at the latest out of the 'Caps first team, which has undergone some minor surgery, as the club announced their initial roster moves last week.
From some key departures to some important returnees, they take a look at what stood out from that news.
Then, they repeat the same exercise with the Whitecaps II roster, which underwent similar surgery this week, as they get set for their 2024 campaign.
Lastly, they dive into the recent comments of head coach Vanni Sartini and CEO/Sporting Director Axel Schuster, who spoke about what the 'Caps offseason could look like, sharing nuggets on preseason, scouting and more.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the end of their 2023 campaign, after their recent MLS Cup Playoffs elimination at the hands of LAFC.
After their 1-0 loss at home to LA in game two of their first-round best-of-three series, the Whitecaps season is now over, and they dive into what this series taught them about the 'Caps.
First, though, they start with the big elephant in the room - the officiating in this second game, which was a hot topic around Vancouver and MLS afterwards, for a multitude of reasons, something they dive into.
Following that, however, they take a look at what they learned about these Whitecaps in the playoffs, as well as seeing what they need to do in order to become a contender.
From needing to answer some key tactical questions, to some big roster decisions, they take an early look at some of those moves, too, without diving too deep (as the plan will be to do in future episodes).
Lastly, they take a look at what this season meant for the Whitecaps, who took a step forward, but are yet to make that jump into an elite contender, although they are now closer than ever to being able to make that step.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things the Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League and more.
To begin, they look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, who began their 2023 MLS Cup playoffs journey with a trip to LA, as they took on LAFC in game #1 of their best-of-three series.
Unfortunately for them, however, things didn't go as planned in that one, with LAFC picking up a 5-2 victory, giving them an edge heading into game two. Not only that, but some old woes cropped up for the Whitecaps, too, as they gave up four of their goals on set-pieces, although they'll be pleased that they were able to score two goals on the road.
The good news, though? With this new format, the Whitecaps can tie the series in game two with a win by any score (or a draw and penalty shootout win), giving them a chance to hit the reset button in game #2.
So they'll now look to do that this upcoming Sunday, where a record crowd for their MLS era awaits them, with the Whitecaps already opening the upper bowl at BC Place for the first time since before the club was in MLS.
Speaking of that match, Alex and Sam then take the time to preview that match, looking at what adjustments Vancouver might try to make, as they look to keep their season alive, which they can do if they force game #3.
Lastly, they dive into some CPL chatter, as Forge claimed their fourth playoff title in five years with a 2-1 win over Cavalry in the CPL Finals, in what ended up being one of the best matches in league history.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, CPL and CanWNT.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who officially closed out their 2023 MLS regular season campaign last week, as they took on LAFC on Decision Day.
And, thanks to that result, a 1-1 draw, they're now getting set to play that exact same LAFC team in the first round of the playoffs, ironically enough.
Because of that, Alex and Sam use that 1-1 draw as a chance to preview this playoff series, seeing what they learned from that game.
Then, they dive into the playoff series more specifically, looking at some tactics, players and permutations to watch over the next couple of weeks as the 'Caps take on LAFC.
After, they take a look at the Canadian Premier League playoffs, breaking down Pacific's elimination from the postseason, before previewing the CPL final, which will be contested between Forge and Cavalry.
Lastly, they take a look at some huge BC soccer news, as CanWNT and Canadian icon, Christine Sinclair, announced she was retiring from international duty, in sad news for soccer fans across the country. The good news, however? That means that she'll play in BC in December, as Canada Soccer announced that Sinclair will get a farewell tour over the next two months, with games in Montréal and Halifax later this month, and then in Victoria and Vancouver in December, giving fans a chance to see the GOAT one last time in a Canadian shirt.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Premier League playoffs, as a busy October rages on.
To begin, they take a look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, who booked their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs at the beginning of October thanks to a dominant win at home over St.Louis City. Not only that, but thanks to their subsequent road draw with the Seattle Sounders combined with some results elsewhere, they're now guaranteed to finish in the top six, too, avoiding the wild card match, while ensuring that they'll host at least one playoff game thanks to MLS's new format.
Plus, they can still finish in the top four with a win in their final game of the season, a 'Decision Day' clash at home against LAFC, as well as some help elsewhere.
With that in mind, Alex and Sam take a look at what stood out from those St.Louis and Seattle games, before previewing this LAFC game, one that could prove to be crucial for the 'Caps for many reasons.
Lastly, they take a look at the start of the CPL playoffs, which have certainly have been enjoyable for Forge and Pacific, with the former advancing to a fifth straight CPL final, while the latter gets set to play Cavalry in a crucial semi-final for both teams after two big 1-0 wins to kick off their postseason journey.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Premier League after another busy weekend on both fronts.
To begin, they take a look at the Whitecaps, who welcomed Carl Robinson, Cristian Dájome, Erik Hurtado and Wayne Rooney's DC United to BC Place, in Vancouver's first home game in a long time after their 7-game road trip.
And after going winless in their last three games to close out their road trip, Vancouver's woes continued in this game, as they drew 2-2 despite leading twice. Because of that, Alex and Sam dive into what went wrong for Vancouver, who made some more sloppy defensive mistakes on the day.
After that, they close out their Whitecaps chatter by previewing Vancouver's next game, a midweek home clash against Western Conference winners, St. Louis City, looking at what to expect from MLS's newest team.
Lastly, they take a look at the latest out of the CPL, where the league's new playoff format has made for an intriguing end to the season, something Pacific and Vancouver have certainly experienced, even if for different reasons.
As a result, that then leads to a final discussion point - could MLS have something to learn from that, as they too experience what a new playoff format can do for a league - albeit negatively, in this case.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Premier League.
To begin, they take a look at the Whitecaps, who finished off a marathon seven-game road trip this past week, falling 2-1 to Real Salt Lake on the weekend before drawing the Colorado Rapids 2-2 in midweek.
First, they look at what went wrong for the 'Caps against RSL, as some untimely errors and sloppy defending undid them in the end, making for a frustrating evening after a solid start.
Then, they take a look at the Colorado game, one where Vancouver started and finished strong, but had a lapse of concentration to forget in the middle, leaving them to draw one they'll feel they could've won.
From there, however, that leads to an important big-picture discussion - is Vancouver as bad as the eye test suggests on set pieces, and could that be the source of a lot of long-term problems? Alex and Sam discuss in-depth, thanks to the discovery of some important statistics.
Finally, to cap off the 'Caps chatter, they take a look at the team's next game, a much-awaited home game against DC United, in which Vancouver will look to return to winning ways back on familiar territory.
Lastly, they take a look at the most recent results out of the BC Canadian Premier League teams, as Pacific has continued to battle inconsistency, while Vancouver has heated up despite playoff elimination, which should set up an intriguing final Salish Sea Derby of 2023 this weekend on Vancouver Island.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Premier League.
To begin, they take a look at the week that was for the Whitecaps, as they started with a key 2-1 road win against Toronto FC, before losing 4-1 to the Houston Dynamo.
They look at what stood out from those games, from some good resilience against Toronto to some intriguing lineup choices against Houston, as well as some concerning defensive trends across both games.
Then, they cap off their Whitecaps chatter by taking a look at their next game, a road clash against Real Salt Lake, as they continue their marathon seven-game road trip with their sixth out of seven games.
Lastly, they finish with some CPL chatter, as they look at how Pacific FC was able to book a playoff spot with a dominant win over York, while Vancouver FC found itself eliminated after a road loss to Cavalry.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and CPL after a busy week on both fronts.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who have had a busy week off the pitch despite being on an international break.
Firstly, there was the big news: they aren't done wheeling and dealing even if MLS's secondary transfer window closed in August. As a result, Sergio Cordóva has been sold to Turkey, while CanMNT attacker Junior Hoilett has been brought in as a free agent, in a pair of big moves from the Whitecaps.
Two different moves that help the club both in the present and future, with the latter especially proving to be true in Cordóva's case, they look at what these moves mean both for now, the rest of the season and the future of Vancouver.
Finally, they take a look at what's next for those 'Caps, who get set to travel to Toronto to face Toronto FC this upcoming weekend for a big clash in their ongoing quest to finish top four in MLS's Western Conference.
From there, they also finish up with some Canadian Premier League chatter, as Vancouver FC kept their playoff hopes alive in dramatic fashion this past weekend, while Pacific faced a small roadblock in their race to the regular season title, marking a busy matchday for both BC-based CPL outfits.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Premier League.
To begin, they dive into the latest with the Whitecaps, who are coming off a big week, as they claimed seven out of a possible nine points to kick off their seven-game road trip.
As a result, they head into the international break in excellent shape, with their push into the top four of MLS's Western Conference looking more realistic by the day.
From the continued excellence of Ryan Gauld to some worries at the back, and an overall adjustment of their style of play on the road, Alex and Sam look back at what stood out from that seven-point week.
Lastly, they finish with some Canadian Premier League chatter, as they look at what's ailing Vancouver FC, before diving into what Pacific FC will need to do in order to win a regular season title.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in an express version of the show.
To begin, they look at the Whitecaps latest game, a Cascadia Cup clash with the Portland Timbers, where they picked up a massive road 3-2 road win.
Led by big two goal and one assist effort from Ryan Gauld, and supported by some key pieces around him, they look at what went right for Vancouver in this one, as they kicked off their seven-game road trip on a high note.
Then, they take a look at what they can also learn from this game, especially defensively, where they continue to struggle on the road. Because of that, Alex and Sam explore some alternate solutions, including a potential personnel tweak that could be worth exploring.
Lastly, they take a look ahead to the Whitecaps next game, a midweek clash away to the Chicago Fire, looking at what to expect from that one.
A middling side, this Fire team will be no pushover, but represents a very winnable challenge for this Vancouver team as they continue to try and push up the table.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and the CPL.
To begin, they take a look at the Whitecaps, who marked their long-awaited return to MLS play with a disappointing and frustrating home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend.
They look at what went wrong in that one, from some bad luck, injuries and some intriguing personnel decisions, in a game that the Whitecaps will want back given its importance in their race to make the playoffs.
From there, they take a look at some key lineup questions, as Vanni Sartini's preferred formation and best XI starts to take shape, which could lead to some tough decisions.
Then, they switch gears to preview the 'Caps next game, an away Cascadia clash against the Portland Timbers, which kicks off their seven-game road trip.
Arguably a must-win game for Vancouver, they take a look at what to expect from this Portland side, one who is fresh off firing head coach Gio Savarese after a tough run of form.
Lastly, they shift their attention to the Canadian Premier League, as it was derby weekend in British Columbia, which finished with Vancouver FC picking up their first-ever win over Pacific FC out in Langley.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, League 1 BC, CPL and more.
To begin, they look at the Whitecaps MLS outfit, which has been on a bit of a break following their Round of 32 elimination from Leagues Cup.
Despite that, it was a successful Leagues Cup for Vancouver, and they dive into why, mainly due to what they were able to learn in tilts against Mexican giants Tigres and Club Léon.
Then, they take a look at what's next for the Whitecaps in MLS play, as a crucial 12-game stretch awaits them. To set the table for that, they play a game of over/under, before taking a look at some key questions surrounding the team for then.
From there, they round off their MLS section by taking a look at the Whitecaps next opponent, the San Jose Earthquakes, who are set to visit BC Place this weekend, kicking off that final stretch of play for Vancouver.
Continuing on, they dive into some League 1 BC chatter, as that circuit recently came to an end. There, it proved to be a successful season for the Whitecaps, as they ended up claiming the treble by winning both the women's and men's finals to go along with their Juan De Fuca plate crown (given to the club with the highest combined men's and women's points tally in the regular season).
Then, the winning didn't stop there for the Whitecaps women, who claimed a fifth trophy of the season the next week, as they ended up winning the second-ever League 1 Canada inter-provincial championships, held in Langley over the past week.
Lastly, they take a look at the latest in the CPL, where Pacific and Vancouver are holding down opposite sides of the table, setting the stage for what should be a fascinating Salish Sea derby matchup for them this upcoming weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, League 1 BC, CPL and more.
To begin, they take a look at the big news this week - it was deadline day in MLS!
And, more importantly, the Whitecaps were very active ahead of that deadline, too, making a pair of huge first-team signings by acquiring CanMNT full backs Sam Adekugbe and Richie Laryea, as well as making some other minor moves.
Two signings that fill immediate needs on the team, while also bringing big value off the pitch, they look at what these moves represent for the 'Caps, who continue to highlight their changing ambition as a team.
Then, they dive into some Leagues Cup chatter, as the 'Caps continue their maiden journey through that competition, having done well to exit their group after a draw with Léon and a big road win over the LA Galaxy, setting up a thrilling Round of 32 date with Tigres.
After, they take a look at how the BC CPL teams are getting on as the last dozen games of the campaign approach, with both teams finding themselves in similar form, but differing circumstances despite that.
Lastly, they cap things off with a preview of the League 1 BC finals, which will be held at BC Place on Saturday, August 5th, in what should be an excellent showcase for local soccer.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Whitecaps FC II, CPL and League 1 BC in a jam-packed episode.
To begin, they take a look at the Whitecaps' first team, who capped off a chaotic eight-day stretch, in which they had three home games. A run in which they won two games and lost one, they look at if they felt the week was successful, and what stood out from those games - good and bad.
From the red-hot form of Ryan Gauld, to a tough stretch for the defenders, they look at what to make of that stretch, one where the Whitecaps continued to alternate stretches of brilliance with frustrating patches of play.
Then, they welcome a very special guest to the podcast - The Third Sub's very own Caleb Wilkins, who comes onto the show to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps II and a bit of Canadian Premier League chatter. From the players who have stood out, to those who need a bit of work, they look at the entire Whitecaps II roster, as well as some CPL players who could potentially be worth looking at for that team.
Lastly, they finish things off by diving into a quick League 1 BC round-up, diving into the playoff race as the end of the season nears.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps.
To begin, they look at the latest Whitecaps game, a 3-0 loss away to Sporting Kansas City, as the Whitecaps failed to build off a big road win over LAFC the weekend prior.
They look at what went wrong for Vancouver, who reverted to some old, dangerous habits in the process, continuing their road struggles.
After that, they look at how the 'Caps should approach road games, and if they got the tactical set-up wrong against SKC.
Continuing on, they then get into a discussion about MLS and its decision to play through international breaks, which then splits into a conversation about Apple TV and start times, to much frustration from Alex and Sam.
Lastly, they return to the Whitecaps to preview their next game, a Cascadia derby game at home against the Seattle Sounders, in a rematch of a game that the Whitecaps won 2-0 less than two months ago, something they'll look to replicate once again.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps and CPL after a busy week of action.
To begin, they dive into the Whitecaps, who for the first time in over a calendar year, have won a road game in MLS!
They look at how that happened, as they beat the defending MLS Cup and Supporters Shield winners, LAFC, in LA for the first time ever.
From some tweaks in midfield, to a new position for Ryan Gauld, and a bright game from Sergio Córdova, they look at what stood out from that one.
Then, they take a look at how some key 'Caps are faring on international duty, as Ali Ahmed shone in his Canada debut, Julian Gressel continues to get minutes for the US, while Javain Brown chases a great chance to win a trophy with Jamaica.
After that, they take a look at the next 'Caps game, a road clash with Sporting KC, diving into what to expect from that one, as well as some lineup predictions.
Lastly, they take a look at the BC CPL teams, as Vancouver recently won their first-ever home game, and made some big moves in the transfer market, while Pacific continues to coast along as the top team in the league thanks to a four-game winning streak.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat everything Vancouver Whitecaps and League 1 BC.
To begin, they dive into the Whitecaps, who after a recent draw against FC Cincinnati before the international break, hit the halfway mark of their 2023 MLS season.
Therefore, to celebrate that, they dive into some Whitecaps midseason awards, anointing the best performer, the most disappointing player, the "Tosaint Ricketts Third Sub of the Year", an Unsung Hero, the most improved player, the player most likely to be sold, the best new arrival, the most missed departure and the WFC2 player to watch.
Complete with a discussion of potential honourable mentions to go with each selection, they then look at who they'll think will win the awards by the time the season is over, too.
Then, to round off the Whitecaps chatter, they dive into if they feel the team is where they should be at this stage of the season, and what they need to do in the second half of the campaign to have an overall successful campaign.
Lastly, they finish off with a look at League 1 BC, which recently hit the halfway point of its season. From a tight Juan De Fuca plate race, to a three-horse race in the women's division, and a wide-open men's division, they look at what's stood out so far in that circuit.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps (and a bit of CPL), after the Whitecaps won the Canadian Championship for a second straight year and third time total this past week.
With that in mind, they began this show by diving right into that game, and what stood out from a Whitecaps perspective.
To begin, they look at some of the individual performances, as everyone shone, from the main pieces such as Ryan Gauld, Julian Gressel and Yohei Takaoka, to the likes of Javain Brown and Ranko Veselinovic, and the always underrated Andrés Cubas, all playing big roles in the Whitecaps victory.
Then, they take a look at how Vanni Sartini coached in this game, as he further cemented himself in Whitecaps lore with not only his decisions on the touchline, but those off it, such as his quotes and celebrations.
After, they take a look at some roster decisions this tournament could lead to, such as the signing of Whitecaps 2 forward Levonte Johnson to a permanent MLS first-team deal following a strong performance in the final, among others.
Continuing that theme, they then speculate on what the Whitecaps also qualifying for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup (former league) could mean for the rest of the season, and more specifically the Leagues Cup that is coming up this summer.
Lastly, they then take a look at some CPL action, as they revisit the dramatic all-BC CPL derby between Vancouver FC and Pacific FC that finished 6-3 for the Tridents last week, in a game to remember for many reasons.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League and League 1 BC.
To begin, they start with the Whitecaps, where they look back on a busy stretch of games, in which the 'Caps played four times in two weeks across league and cup play.
From the good, such as their qualification to the Canadian Championship final and an outburst of goals, to the bad, such as their continued struggles on the road in MLS play, they look at what stood out from the past few weeks.
Then, they assess the play of those across the roster, both the good and the bad, seeing who has stepped up as of late for the team.
From there, they cap off the Whitecaps chatter with a look ahead to their next couple of matches, including a home date with Sporting KC and the CanChamp final against CF Montréal.
After, they shift their attention to the CPL, where they look at where each team is at through the one-quarter mark of the 2023 campaign, with a focus on Pacific FC and Vancouver FC (who on the day of recording, were getting set for a derby).
Lastly, they update the League 1 BC standings, where parity reigns on the men's side, while the women's side has seen some usual suspects and new faces climb up the table, marking a fun start to the season so far.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League, League 1 BC and more.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are in the midst of a busy stretch of games in MLS and Canadian Championship action.
First, they look at what's stood out from their recent run of games, where after beating Minnesota United in MLS play and York United in the Canadian Championship, they suffered back-to-back defeats to the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas in league play.
There, they look at the good and the bad from those performances, as the 'Caps showed some rare cracks, with the busy schedule playing a big role in that.
Lastly, to round off the Whitecaps chatter, they look at the big news from this week, as MLSPA revealed the 2023 MLS salaries, giving Alex and Sam the chance to dive into who on the 'Caps are earning their money, who is due for a raise, and much more.
After that, they shift over to some Canadian Premier League chatter, as they look at a busy last two matchdays of CPL action for Vancouver FC and Pacific FC, for differing reasons. On one side, Vancouver's facing some adversity for the first time this season, after their big home opener on May 7th, while Pacific is cruising in great form in CPL play.
Then, to cap things off they finish with some League 1 BC chatter, before diving into a quick preview of the upcoming Canadian Championship semi-final matchups next week to finish the show.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
In Episode 165 of the Third Sub Podcast, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things soccer in British Columbia.
To begin, they dive into the latest Vancouver Whitecaps performance, as the 'Caps hosted the Colorado Rapids at BC Place in MLS play this past weekend.
There, a mixed run of form continued for the 'Caps, as while they kept their 4th straight clean sheet in MLS play, they were shut out for a second straight game, as the match eventually finished 0-0.
They look at what the 'Caps need to fix up front, as they continue to drop valuable points due to their offensive struggles, which could come back to haunt them later on.
Then, they look at week 3 of CPL action, seeing what stood out from a BC perspective, as Vancouver FC drew the Halifax Wanderers away, while Pacific lost to Forge FC at home. From a dream start for Vancouver, who is set for their first-ever home match this weekend, to more scoring woes at Pacific, they look at what to make of each team's start to the season.
Afterwards, they take a look back at a busy first weekend of League 1 BC action, as that league kicked off its second season with a bang. From business as usual on the women's side, to some fun results on the men's side, they look at what they took away from that one.
Lastly, they look ahead to what's next for the 'Caps, as well as in the CPL, League 1 BC and the Canadian Championship, as a busy month of May really gets going for soccer across BC and all of Canada.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things soccer in BC.
To begin, they start with the Whitecaps, who despite not playing a game this past weekend, still made news as they traded winger Cristian Dájome to DC United for some GAM ahead of the closing of MLS's primary transfer window.
They start by breaking down what this move means for Dájome, for the 'Caps and for DC, before looking at what this could mean for future transactions for the team based on the precedent it sets.
After, they look ahead to the next 'Caps game, a home clash with the Colorado Rapids, where Vancouver will be looking to stay hot in MLS play with another victory. It won't be easy, as Colorado are always tough to break down, but as the numbers show, they do have some weaknesses that can be exploited.
Then, they shift their attention to the MLS Next Pro level, as VWFC II is continuing to shine at that level, and they look at how they've been able to do that. With a couple of potential contributors who could step up to play in MLS, it's a good time to follow the team, and they explain why.
Continuing on, they then chat some Canadian Premier League, as the CPL was back for its second matchday this past weekend.
There, it was a huge weekend for a BC-based team, as new kids on the block Vancouver FC picked up their first-ever club goal and victory in a 2-1 win over York United. Along with some other crucial storylines, including some unfortunate news out of York, they look at what else stood out from the CPL over the past week.
Lastly, they shift their attention to League 1 BC, which finally returns this weekend. After a successful opening season, the league is eager to hit the ground running in year two, so they take a look at who and what to watch out for as that kicks off on April 29th.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League and Canadian Championship after a loaded week of local soccer action.
To begin, they dive into the latest out from the 'Caps, who drew Austin 0-0 on the road. They look at what stood out from that game, as Vancouver continued to pick up points in MLS play, setting themselves up nicely for a bye week this upcoming weekend.
After that, they look at the other BC-based professional soccer teams that also played that same day, as the CPL kicked off this past weekend, with a first-ever CPL BC darby between Pacific FC and Vancouver FC on Saturday sitting as one of the league's big opening matches, one that Pacific eventually won 1-0.
From a confident result for Pacific, to encouraging signs for Vancouver, they reflect on that opening match, and what it means for the rest of the pair's CPL seasons.
Then, to wrap things up, they dive into the Canadian Championship, and more specifically, one game in the preliminary round - the matchup between the TSS Rovers and Valour FC.
There, an upset for the ages was on the cards, as the Rovers became the first-ever semi-professional team to beat a professional side in a Canadian Championship tie, beating Valour 3-1 at Swangard Stadium.
They look back at what this result means for the Rovers, soccer in BC and the Canadian Championship at large, before diving into how the win happened, as well as what stood out from the night.
Lastly, they take a quick look ahead at what's next in the Canadian Championship for those who remained, previewing what should be a fun rest of the tournament.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy week for the club.
To begin, they dive into the main games that the team has played over the last eight days, that being the Concacaf Champions League, where they took on LAFC across a two-legged series in the quarter-finals.
And there, things didn't go great for the Whitecaps, as they first fell 3-0 at home in the first leg, before losing by the exact same scoreline in leg 2 in LA, leaving them to bow out by a score of 6-0 on aggregate.
From a timid first-leg approach to some let-offs from some otherwise consistent players, they look at how the 'Caps were beaten as soundly as they did by LAFC, who showed why they're the tournament favourites heading into the semi-finals.
Then, after that, they look at the 'Caps most recent MLS game, a 1-0 home win over the Portland Timbers in a Cascadia Cup clash, one where Vancouver once again looked very good, continuing their quiet improvement in league play.
All of a sudden, with some strong underlying numbers, as well as some improved performances from underrated sources, the Whitecaps are clicking in MLS, trending in the right direction right now.
Therefore, with a crucial clash looming this weekend on the road against Austin, they look at what this game represents for the 'Caps, who have a chance to get closer to a long-stated goal with a victory.
Lastly, they take a look at some other local soccer news, as WFC II continued to shine in MLS Next Pro, and the CPL gets set to return for its fifth season, with a BC Darby headlining the league's opening weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a big weekend for the team.
To begin, they start with the biggest highlight from the weekend - a 5-0 win over rivals CF Montréal, one where they were able to take advantage of an early Montréal red card to put up their first win of the season.
Led by a pair of former WFC II standouts, Simon Becher and Ali Ahmed, it was a much-needed confidence booster for Vancouver, who had been playing well in MLS play, but just didn't have the results to show for it.
After, they look at what's next for the 'Caps, as they get set to host LAFC in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals. A familiar foe, they look at what to expect from this LA side, who are arguably the favourites among the last eight in this competition, and for good reason.
At the same time, they're not invincible, so Alex and Sam look at how Vancouver could beat them, and what they'll need to do in order to make that happen.
Lastly, they finish off with a bit of CPL news, as they react to the signing of Kekuta Manneh by Pacific FC, a move that certainly caught many Canadian soccer fans by surprise when it dropped on Monday morning.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about some news at the Third Sub, as well as all things Vancouver Whitecaps.
To begin, they look at the big news at the Third Sub, which is no longer just a podcast, thanks to the launch of thethirdsub.ca, a new venture between 86Forever and Between The Sticks. Here, Alex and Sam share some key details on this change, before looking forward to what it means for local soccer coverage in BC.
After that, they shift to some key news out of the Whitecaps, who recently lost their head of recruitment, Nikos Overheul, as he and the team parted ways last week. They dive into what that means given Overheul's track record with the 'Caps, as well as what it reflects on the team's future.
Then, they take a look back at the most recent 'Caps game, a clash with Minnesota United on the road, where the 'Caps snatched a late 1-1 draw, their third such consecutive result in MLS play. There, some key issues remained, much to the frustration of many, continuing a tough start to their 2023 season.
Lastly, they take a look ahead to the next 'Caps game, a home battle with CF Montréal, one that looms large as the 'Caps both chase their first win of the MLS season, as well as get set for their crucial CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final versus LAFC.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they reached their first international break of the 2023 MLS season.
To begin, they look back at the 'Caps most recent games, as they first fell 3-2 on the road to Real CD España in the second leg of their Round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League tie, a score that was still enough to get them through to the next round 7-3 on aggregate, before they then split the spoils in a 1-1 draw vs the LA Galaxy in MLS play.
They look at what stood out in those games, from the 'Caps persistent issue with marking wide balls, as well as their ongoing woes in the attack, seeing what needs to be tweaked.
After that, they take a look at the team's recent starting lineups, having a debate on whether or not some players might need a look at where they fit in the team's best XI, and if head coach Vanni Sartini is trotting out his best unit each week.
Then, because breaks can sometimes be a myth in MLS, they look ahead to this weekend, where the 'Caps (and 27 other MLS teams) are playing through the international break, as they travel to Minnesota to take on Minnesota United.
A severely depleted Minnesota side, as they feel the effects of playing through this break, it's a huge opportunity for the 'Caps to grab their first win of the season, and they dive into why.
Lastly, they take a look at some big-picture questions from the first few games, including Sartini's future, Julian Gressel's strong play and their CCL run, seeing what all of that means as they get set for a crucial stretch of play, one that could very well decide the fate of their still-young season.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they continued their busy start to the 2023 season.
To begin, they take a look at the first of two games the 'Caps played over this past week, which was a clash with Honduran side Real CD España in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie, a game in which the 'Caps picked up their first win of the 2023 season in a 5-0 thumping at BC Place.
A monumental result for many reasons, they look at why that was the case, as it both allowed the 'Caps to find some much-needed confidence offensively, while all but setting them up to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as long as they avoid disaster in the second leg.
After, they looked back at the second game of the week, which was a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas at BC Place a few days later, one where Vancouver just couldn't capitalize on the momentum of the big Champions League win back in MLS action, especially on the attacking side of things.
As a result, they continued what has been a frustrating MLS campaign, failing to turn an overall decent performance into a win, leaving them with just one point out of their first three games so far this season.
Due to some reoccurring issues defensively, as well as some bad luck in the final third, it just hasn't clicked for Vancouver yet this season in MLS play, leading Alex and Sam to propose some solutions to fix that, including backing Brian White to bust his slump in a big way, as well as some new potential combinations at the back.
Lastly, they preview the week ahead for Vancouver, which promises to be a busy one, as they get set to play España in the second leg of their Champions League tie, before travelling to LA to take on the LA Galaxy in a crucial MLS game between two teams looking for their first win in league action so far in 2023.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they progressed through their 2023 MLS season this past weekend.
This time out, the 'Caps travelled down to California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, in what was just their second match of the season.
And in that game, they got a bit of deja vu from the first one, as they fell 2-1, in a game where they scored early before getting sunk by two second-half goals. Sound familiar?
Because of that, they dive into the important question - how did that happen two weeks in a row?
Then, after they answer that, they look at how the 'Caps, who are supposed to be a playoff team this year, inexplicably threw away two games, with their full backs, zonal marking woes, and questionable substitutions standing out as the biggest key issues.
After that, however, they throw all of that out of the window and bring in the good vibes, thanks to the return of the CONCACAF Champions League, as the 'Caps get set to play in that competition for the first time since 2017 later this week.
With the first leg of their Round of 16 clash against Real CD España coming up on Wednesday, they take a look at what to expect from their opponents in that game, as they get a rare chance to take on some Honduran opposition.
A historically strong club in Honduras, they look at what to expect from España, who love a 4-4-2, a tackle and a long ball, three things that the 'Caps will need to be wary of as they chase a result in what has quickly become a must-win game, for a multitude of reasons, helping put the sting of the tough start behind them.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they kicked off their 2023 MLS season this past weekend.
To begin, they look back at that game, which was a 2-1 win for Real Salt Lake, who managed to come into BC Place and waltz out with a crucial three points in their pockets.
They analyze how that happened, and what went wrong for Vancouver, who after getting off to a brilliant start to the game, faded out in the second half, throwing away a 1-0 lead in the process.
From in-game adjustments, some full back woes and selection headaches, they look at what ailed the 'Caps, before finishing with a look at what they did well, and how they should build off that going forward.
After, they take a look at the next game, a clash versus the San Jose Earthquakes on the road. A new look 'Quakes team, they dive into what has changed with San Jose, who has a new coach, a new defensive spine, and an overall new identity, making them a team to watch.
Therefore, despite an opening day loss to Atlanta United, one where they were left stunned by some late Thiago Almada magic, they're looking to build off the positives they showed in that one, as they played relatively well for 89 minutes on the road before Almada took over.
Because of that, they head into this 'Third Wheel Derby' full of confidence, as they try to grab their first win of the season, against a 'Caps team looking to bottle up a similar energy on their end, which should make for an entertaining match between two teams that always seem to deliver on that front.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of the start of their 2023 MLS season.
To begin, they dive into an in-depth preview of the team, looking at their new acquisitions, before looking at the team's important floor and ceiling raisers that the team will be relying on in 2023.
Then, after that, they take a look at what a best-case and worst-case scenario looks like for the team, should everything go (or not go) to plan.
Lastly, they round off their preview section with rapid-fire predictions, sharing their thoughts on how they think things will go for Vancouver, using highly (not at all) scientific methods to help them do that.
After, they take a look at the latest news out of 'Caps land, which is that the team has a new kit and sponsor, with the "Bloodlines" kit now in the arsenal, in which the team's new premier partner, Telus, is highly prominent.
From there, they round off the show with a preview of the 'Caps opening match of the 2023 MLS season, which is a home clash against Real Salt Lake, who they welcome to BC Place on Saturday, February 25th to kick off their 13th MLS season.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Soccer and CPL following a busy few weeks of news on all of those fronts.
To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who have been continuing their preseason down in Palm Springs, California, where they're undefeated in games against DC United, Charlotte, Toronto FC, St Louis City and Las Vegas Lights.
Backed by strong defensive numbers, and some timely set-piece goals, the 'Caps have been finding results down in California, although a lack of open-play goals could become a worry, as they note.
At the same time, with news that the 'Caps have found their new striker, that being Sergio Córdova, they look at what the former RSL man could bring to the attack, and why getting him in could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this Vancouver attack.
Elsewhere, they take a look at the latest news from Whitecaps 2, who are set to sign former CPL wunderkid Antoine Coupland on loan, and also made first-team assistant Ricardo Clark their new bench boss, marking a busy week of news for the second team.
Then, they talk about some CPL news, assessing the signing of former Whitecap Theo Collomb in Halifax and BC native Callum Montgomery at Cavalry, before looking at the newest stadium developments out of Vancouver FC.
Lastly, they break down an eventful Canadian Championship draw, before finishing off with a look at the latest standoff between Canada Soccer and its players, following a weekend that saw the CanWNT/CanXNT and its players threaten to go on strike following budget cuts that will impact them heavily, despite them being in a crucial World Cup year.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they continued to roll through their 2023 preseason.
First, they dive into their latest preseason match, a 2-1 loss to Austrian side Wolfberger AC, the second game of two for the 'Caps during their trip to Marbella. From a Cristian Dajome goal, to another strong Ali Ahmed performance, they share what stood out to them from what limited viewing they were able to get of the match.
Afterwards, they dive into the latest news roster wise for the 'Caps, including updates on Daniel Krutzen, Salif Sané, Yohei Takaoka and Tai Baribo, seeing what to expect from the team transfer-wise in the coming weeks. Also, they take a look at the latest injury news, as the 'Caps welcomed back a few wounded bodies this week, bolstering their squad a tad.
Lastly, they looked ahead to what's next for the 'Caps, who head down to Palm Springs this week, where they'll begin the second phase of their preseason with a match next week against DC United, the first of five matches that they'll play in California before they open their MLS season at home against RSL in just under four weeks time.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they got the ball rolling for their first (exhibition) game of 2023!
To begin, they dive right into that game, a friendly against German 2nd Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, breaking down what went on in HSV's eventual 2-0 win over the 'Caps.
From a decent showing defensively, to a tough night at the office offensively, as well as some other tactical notes and underrated performers, they take a look at what they took away from that match.
After that, they take a look at the latest news surrounding the club, as they recently made some signings, including that of Matías Laborda, as well as invited some players on trial, such as Daniel Krutzen. Not only that, but there was also a Super Draft recently, too, so they take a quick look at who the 'Caps selected, including JC Ngando and Levonte Johnson.
Lastly, they round things off with a couple of rumoured moves, including the potential signings of Tai Baribo and Salif Sané, seeing where they'd fit, as well as the news that Bell is no longer a 'Caps sponsor, ending a long tenure as kit sponsor for the bank with the club.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Canadian and Vancouver soccer.
To begin, they start on the Canadian side of the ledger, as they dive into the big news from the last month, that being the participation of the CanMNT at the 2022 men's FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Things didn't end up going as planned there for Canada, unfortunately, but there was still a lot to dive into from that, especially when you look forward to what is still on the horizon for this young team.
After, they dive into some big women's soccer news, that being the impending launch of a professional women's soccer league in Canada starting in 2025, thanks to the work of Diana Matheson's Project 8 Sports. They look at what this league could mean for the state of the sport in Canada, and what will need to happen for it to work, allowing for a successful launch in two years time.
Then, continuing on, they then shift their attention to the recent Whitecaps news. From a new arrival, to a couple of key departures, along with some interesting rumours, they dive into the latest transfer news about the 'Caps, as they begin to shape their 2023 squad.
Lastly, they look at the other Vancouver team that will be playing in 2023 - the CPL's Vancouver FC, who made their first signing in club history this week, something that they take the time to dive into, seeing what it means for the new club.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in a jam-packed episode.
To begin, they dive into the main news of the week, which was the wild MLS Cup final that occurred between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union, as they look at what that final can teach the Whitecaps as they continue their preparation for the 2023 campaign.
Then, they take a look at the MLS Expansion Draft, seeing if there was any value to be extracted there for Vancouver, as they pondered going the Tristan Blackmon route again.
After that, they then take a look back at a fun season of Canadian Premier League action, before diving deep into a list of a dozen targets the 'Caps should be looking at from the league, as they get set to hopefully take a plunge into that market this offseason.
Lastly, they dive into the 'Caps CONCACAF Champions League draw, one in which they did pretty well for themselves, setting them up for a chance to make a good run in the spring.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they kicked off their 2022 offseason this week.
First, they look at how they got here, which came due to a tough 2-0 loss to Minnesota United on MLS's Decision Day, a result that left the 'Caps just outside of the playoffs.
Then, they share their takeaways from the 'Caps end-of-season media availability, in which head coach Vanni Sartini and sporting director Axel Schuster spoke with reporters, sharing some interesting nuggets on the past and the future.
After, they take a look at the big news of the week, that being the Whitecaps contract options, which gives an idea of who should be back in 2023, and who might be gone. From who is staying, who is going, and who is on the fence, they break down each of those decisions.
Lastly, they take a look at how the roster currently shapes up, and what will be next for them now this offseason, as important deadlines continue to rapidly approach here.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy week for the club.
To begin, they dive into their most recent match, a 2-0 win over Austin FC, one that now has the Whitecaps in full control of their playoff destiny heading into Decision Day. There, all they'd need is a win over a reeling Minnesota United on the road, and they'll be in the playoffs for a second straight year, capping off a memorable end to their regular season.
Before looking ahead to that match, however, they look back at what stood out from that Austin win, as the 'Caps stuck with an identity that has gotten them results lately, continuing to show why they might want to build off of that identity going forward.
Then, speaking of that subject, they look at what this recent 'Caps winning streak means for the long-term future of the team, no matter what happens on their quest to get to the playoffs.
After that, they look ahead to that Minnesota game, seeing what the 'Caps will be up against in that do-or-die matchup, one that actually favours Vancouver in many ways, but also goes against them in others.
Lastly, they take a look at the news that came out of the front office this week, as some names are sticking around. From the positive side of that announcement, being the return of Axel Schuster, to the negative side, being the return of the Lennarduzzi's, they take a look at what this all means for the short, medium and long-term future of the club, which could be stand to be impacted in many ways by this news.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after an important break for the team.
To begin, Alex and Sam look back on a couple of 'Caps games, as they catch up on what has been a hectic month of September for the team. From a rocky start, to a strong finish, they look at what can be gleaned from this latest stretch of games.
Then, they take a look at the 'Caps overall season, and ask themselves an important question - what is the true version of this team? Is it the one that started slow? Is it the one that had a strong middle of the campaign? Or how about the one that has found some life as of late?
After, they begin to look forward to 2023, asking one important question - what does this team need to do in order to compete for the Supporters Shield? What moves can realistically get them there?
Lastly, they look ahead to the last few games of the season, and share what they want to get out of them, as the 'Caps look to finish 2022 on a high note, potentially in the playoffs.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after an important break for the team.
To begin, Alex and Sam look back on a couple of 'Caps games, as they catch up on what has been a hectic month of September for the team. From a rocky start, to a strong finish, they look at what can be gleaned from this latest stretch of games.
Then, they take a look at the 'Caps overall season, and ask themselves an important question - what is the true version of this team? Is it the one that started slow? Is it the one that had a strong middle of the campaign? Or how about the one that has found some life as of late?
After, they begin to look forward to 2023, asking one important question - what does this team need to do in order to compete for the Supporters Shield? What moves can realistically get them there?
Lastly, they look ahead to the last few games of the season, and share what they want to get out of them, as the 'Caps look to finish 2022 on a high note, potentially in the playoffs.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a heartbreaking loss for the team this past weekend against Nashville SC.
Needing a win to take control of their playoff hopes, they instead ended up falling 3-0 in a game that was memorable for all of the wrong reasons.
From a tough defensive display, to a moment of madness from Lucas Cavallini, and some other lowlights, it was a match to forget for the Whitecaps, who are now up against the 8-ball in terms of qualifying for their 2nd straight MLS Cup playoffs.
As a result, they take a look at how this happened, and what this latest run of form has meant for the 'Caps, who have certainly learned a lot about themselves over the past few months.
Despite the big blow, however, the playoff push continues for the 'Caps, as they get set to fly to San Jose to take on the Earthquakes, in what is a must-win game for the club.
With a history of high-scoring games against the 'Quakes in recent years, can the 'Caps find themselves on top of one of those matches this upcoming Sunday? If they're to have any hope of making the playoffs, finding a way to make that possible is a must.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy week for the club.
To begin, they dive into their past three games, a loss to the LA Galaxy, a win over the Colorado Rapids, and a draw to RSL, seeing what went right and wrong in those games.
From the 'Caps struggles in LA, to their strong resurgence against Colorado and RSL, it was a strange week, one that sums up the team as of late.
You add in the return of Thomas Hasal and Sebastian Berhalter, the continued struggles of Cristian Dajome, and some tactical questions into that, and that just gives even more of an idea of how things went down.
Then, they shift to their attention to the 'Caps next game, a crucial home clash at BC Place against Nashville SC, a game that has massive playoff implications.
Knowing that, they see what to expect from Nashville, from the ever-dangerous Hany Mukhtar, to their interesting defensive situation, as well as their elite underlying numbers.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a big weekend for the club.
To begin, they take a look back at the big result from their last match, a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over the Houston Dynamo, one that could prove to be massive for the 'Caps playoff hopes.
From another slow start, to questions in midfield, and some big subs off the bench, they look at what stood out to them from that Dynamo game, as the 'cardiac 'Caps' continued to break hearts late on.
After, they take a look at the 'Caps second team, and the benefits that it has already brought the club in just one year of existence, with a great example being this Dynamo match, before projecting what the future of that team could look like if this keeps up.
Then, they round things off with a look ahead to the 'Caps next game, a road clash with the LA Galaxy, seeing what they expect from that one.
From a look at the struggles that have recently ailed LA, to a look at their dangerous strike force, as well as the looming playoff implications of this match, they see what to expect in this one.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of a busy week for the club.
To begin, they look back, as they review the 'Caps most recent game, a 1-1 draw with Nashville SC, one in which they showed some good and some bad in their first visit to the Music City. From Ryan Gauld's resurgent form, to Javain Brown's first MLS goal, they see what stood out to them in that game.
Then, they take a look at the now-official news that Alessandro Schopf has signed for the club, sharing their thoughts on what it means for the rest of this season and beyond.
After, they take a step back and dive into all of the 'Caps moves from a busy summer transfer window, giving a letter grade for how they feel it has gone so far, both in terms of arrivals and departures.
Lastly, they preview the 'Caps next game, a clash with the Houston Dynamo on Friday night, seeing how they feel about what is going to be a must-win game for Vancouver at BC Place.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after they did something they've waited so long to do - lift some silverware, as they lifted the Voyageurs Cup as winners of the 2022 Canadian Championship at BC Place on Tuesday.
To begin, they look at how the Whitecaps were able to make that a reality, thanks to their big win over Toronto FC on penalties, seeing what stood out to them on the night. From a strong crowd, to an inspired performance, and some key tactical adjustments, they see what the 'Caps did well, including in the shootout, in particular, where the 'Caps showed their growing prowess as penalty specialists.
After, they look at what this Voyageurs Cup victory means for the 'Caps, who finally have another trophy to add to the cabinet, and will also compete in the CONCACAF Champions League next year, both big developments for the club.
Continuing on, they then look at how the show must go on for the Whitecaps now here despite this triumph, as they now dive right back into MLS play this weekend, when they'll take on Nashville SC for the first time ever. To help preview that one, they dive into what to expect from Nashville, and how the 'Caps match up with them, as they head into what is a pretty big game for Vancouver.
Lastly, they dive into the rumoured signing of Alessandro Schopf, seeing what he could bring to the 'Caps, and what his signing would mean for a few other players on the roster.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy two weeks of action.
First, they look back at the three games the 'Caps played over that span, a loss to Minnesota United FC, a draw with FC Cincinnati and a draw with the Portland Timbers, seeing what stood out to them in those games.
From the 'Caps improved road identity, to their injury crisis, as well as a bit of a resurgence for Cristian Dajome, Ryan Gauld and Brian White, they dive into the storylines that emerged from that stretch.
After that, they dive into the biggest news of the last two weeks, that being the acquisition of a new 'Caps player. Not only that, but it's a pretty darn good one, too, that being Julian Gressel, who the 'Caps were able to nab from DC United at a bargain price.
Then, they get into an interesting discussion surrounding the team's present and future, and where they lie relative to the teams around them in MLS, seeing why that is important for them to take stock ahead of a crucial offseason.
Lastly, they dive into the 'Caps upcoming game, a clash with the Chicago Fire at BC Place, seeing what they expect from that one, as Vancouver balances that game and the looming Canadian Championship final versus Toronto FC.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a big weekend for the club.
To begin, they look back at the club's most recent game, a big 1-0 victory over league-leaders, LAFC, in which a late, late Andrés Cubas winner allowed them to bring home all 3 points.
From Cubas's strong play, to continued solid performances from the likes of Marcus Godinho, Ryan Raposo and Ryan Gauld, along with some key tactical adjustments from Vanni Sartini, they take a look at how the 'Caps were able to pull off such a result in that one.
Now the hottest team in MLS, the 'Caps have continued to find a way to get the job done as of late, and they try and wrap their heads around how that has happened.
After, they switch gears to talk about the 'Caps next game, a clash against Minnesota United, with whom Vancouver shares an identical record with. From the red-hot form of Emmanuel Reynoso, to the underrated work of Dayne St.Clair, they see what's been fuelling the Loons so far this year.
Lastly, they take a quick look at whatever is going on over in Toronto, where the Italian resurgence continued this week, keeping a close eye on the 'Caps 2022 Canadian Championship final opponents.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into another interesting week of Vancouver Whitecaps chatter.
To begin, they look at the 'Caps most recent game, a 0-0 draw with the New England Revolution, looking at what stood out to them from that one.
From Marcus Godinho's bright performance, to the big loss of Deiber Caicedo, as well as some other talking points, they see what they could glean from that game, one that left mixed reactions in 'Caps land.
After, they take a look at the debate raging on Twitter right now - Cody Cropper or Thomas Hasal? With Hasal's return from injury seemingly imminent, it's all of a sudden become a big topic, so they weigh in on that discussion.
Continuing on, they shift their attention towards the 'Caps next game, a clash with league-leaders LAFC this upcoming weekend, breaking down what to expect from LA.
From the return of some familiar faces, to the top talent that they've been able to acquire as of late, they look at what has had LAFC clicking this season, making them an early MLS Cup contender.
Lastly, they dive into the biggest of all the new LAFC faces, five-time Champions League winner, Gareth Bale, seeing what can be fair to expect from him in his maiden journey stateside in MLS.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy and important week for the club.
First, they dive into the big news of the week - the 'Caps are going to a final, as they defeated York United 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2022 Canadian Championship, officially allowing them to book a ticket to the final of that competition for the first time since 2018.
To start, they look at what stood out from that win from York, including a return to form for Brian White, an interesting back 3, some questions in the midfield and some intriguing squad rotation.
Then, they take a look forward to the biggest news of them all from that game - the fact that the 'Caps will now be in a final, as they see what that'll mean for the club and the city, who many are hoping shows up big for this game.
Afterwards, they continue the episode with a look at the 'Caps next game, a home clash against the New England Revolution, seeing what they expect from the current Supporter's Shield holders this weekend.
Despite some key departures, the Revolution have no shortage of star talent to draw from, which should make for a fun matchup in their first meeting since 2019.
Lastly, they decide to get bold and predict a 'Caps lineup and score for this game, throwing their names on the line in the process.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a big weekend for the club.
First, they look at the big and surprising news from the weekend, as the Whitecaps actually went out and did the unthinkable - win away in commanding fashion in MLS, doing so in a 2-0 road victory over FC Dallas.
Having both witnessed that surprise performance from the 'Caps, Alex and Sam dive right into what they thought of that game, including the debut of the Andres Cubas show, some Colombian magic, an improved defensive shape and the continued progress and dominance of Lucas Cavallini.
After, they then look ahead for the 'Caps, previewing their next match, a midweek clash against the CPL's York United in the semi-finals of the Canadian Championship, seeing what they expect from that one.
Can a struggling York take down a red-hot Whitecaps side? Knowing the magic of the cup, it's something you don't want to rule out quite yet.
Lastly, they dive into a bit of CPL chatter, as they look at Sam's recent visit to a Halifax Wanderers game, diving into his experience at Wanderers Ground, and what teams around Canada could stand to learn from that venue and the club as a whole.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into a confusing stretch of games for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who continue to progress through their 2022 MLS campaign.
First, they dive into the 'Caps most recent games, a 2-1 win over RSL and a 4-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders, where, as has been typical as of late for Vancouver, they continued to be dominant at home, and struggle on the road.
Seeing that, they explore some theories for why that is the case, before diving into some of the individual performances that stood out to them in those games - both good and bad.
After, they look ahead to the next two-game 'Caps stretch, a pair of games against FC Dallas and York United, with the latter coming as part of the semi-finals of the Canadian Championship, making it arguably the 'Caps most important game of the season up to this point.
Continuing on, they shift their attention to the CanMNT, and their chaotic June window in Vancouver, one that ended up being quite the memorable one, for a lot of the wrong reasons.
Lastly, they dive into the good news out of Canadian Soccer circles this week, as it was revealed that Vancouver and Toronto would be hosting games at the 2026 Men's World Cup, a bit of news that has many happy - and for good reason.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into a busy set of Vancouver Whitecaps games from the past 14 days.
From a win over FC Dallas, to a tough loss to Charlotte FC, and a win over Sporting Kansas City in MLS play, as well as a clutch result over Cavalry FC in the Canadian Championship, they see what they took away from those games.
Cody Cropper's surprisingly good play? The 'Caps now stable defence? Lucas Cavallini's resurgence? They touch on all of those subjects, sharing their thoughts on them, and how they contributed to the 'Caps most recent run of form.
Otherwise, they also take a look at if the month of May has indeed salvaged the 'Caps season, before finishing up with a quick look at their next opponent - Real Salt Lake, who they'll play at BC Place this upcoming weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and more.
To start, they dive right into the Whitecaps chatter, breaking down their three most recent matchups, home clashes against Toronto FC, Valour FC and the San Jose Earthquakes, with the TFC and SJ matches coming in MLS action, and the Valour clash coming in Canadian Championship play.
First, they look at some overall takeaways from that week, in which the 'Caps won the first two games before drawing the last one, before diving into specifics from the game, and what they overall gleaned from that. Then, to round things off, they look at where they believe this team is at going forward, and if this latest stretch was enough to revive their season.
Then, to round off the show, they preview the 'Caps next match, a clash at home against FC Dallas, one of the hottest teams in MLS right now. Led by the current MLS golden boot race leader, Jesus Ferreira, and a solid cast of players, this Dallas team has been fun to watch right now, so they look at what the 'Caps will have to be wary of in this clash.
Lastly, they look at some other big news out of Vancouver from last week, as it was revealed that the CanMNT is coming back to BC Place for the first time since 2019, and they dive into what that means for both Canada and the city of Vancouver to have both parties reunite again.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS after a busy week of news.
First, they dive into the 'Caps, who despite not playing this past weekend, kept busy.
So seeing that, they look at the 'Caps latest item of business, the signing of Luis Martins, seeing what he'll be expected to bring to the squad, as well as what they think of the 'Caps having to bring him in at this stage of the campaign. On top of that, they look at what this move means in terms of how the 'Caps might line up going forward, especially based on recent comments from head coach, Vanni Sartini.
Having gone through that, they then take a quick look at WFC II, who continued to roll with another big victory in MLS Next Pro action this past weekend.
Afterwards, they look at the 'Caps latest marketing scheme, one that has fans across the country talking, although for not all the right reasons.
Continuing on, they look at the 'Caps next opponent, Toronto FC, seeing what to expect from their fellow Canadian rivals.
Lastly, they dive into some news around MLS, including CF Montreal's (second) rebrand, the Seattle Sounders CONCACAF Champions League triumph and the MLS's newest (controversial) sponsor.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
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Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in a jam-packed episode.
First, they take a look back at the 'Caps most recent game, a 3-0 loss to Austin FC from the weekend, in which the 'Caps continued their nightmare start to the 2022 MLS season.
Seeing that, Alex and Sam first break down the match before offering their solutions to fixing this edition of the 'Caps, based on what they've seen from the team so far. Is it a coaching problem? Is it the players? Is it the formation? Is it some plain old bad luck?
They ponder all of that, and more.
Then, they take a look at a possible saviour for the team at the moment, brand-new signing, Andres Cubas, who was officially signed to the team this week, potentially giving them the new face they need to turn things around.
Lastly, they take a look at one of the bright spots in the club right now - youth development, and more specifically, the 'Caps second team, which continues to take great strides at the MLS Next Pro level.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy few weeks for the club.
First, they look back at the most recent 'Caps games, a 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers at home, and a 2-1 loss at CF Montreal away, as the 'Caps failed to get any points off of the back-to-back derby matches.
From looking at what led to the results, to what stood out, both good and bad, they tell the story of both matches, which are both ones the 'Caps would rather forget.
Then, they take a look at what they think is plaguing the 'Caps right now, as they have just 1 win in their first 7 games in the 2022 MLS season, a far cry from the playoff team they ended off on. Plus, with the Canadian Championship right around the corner, they also discuss the impact this run of form could have on that competition.
After, they preview the 'Caps upcoming game, a clash with Austin FC down in Texas, where they'll take on an Austin team that is one of the hottest in MLS right now.
Lastly, they then look at a potential new player that could maybe help save the 'Caps season - midfielder, Andres Cubas, who looks to be joining the 'Caps from Ligue 2's Nimes soon as a TAM signing, shoring up a huge area of need for the team in midfield.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
The Third Sub can be found on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Anchor. It can also now be found on Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts and Radio Public, so if you have any of those platforms installed, you can now find it on them.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a big week for the club.
To start, they take a look back at their most recent match, a clash against Sporting Kansas City at BC Place this past weekend, in which they grabbed their first win of the 2022 MLS season in a 1-0 result over their visitors.
And seeing that, they see what stood out from that game for the 'Caps, good and bad, as they put up their most dominant performance of the season so far.
Then, they take a look at the 'Caps current wing back and centre back situation, breaking down some interesting comments from head coach, Vanni Sartini, from this week.
After, they shift their attention to the future, as they preview the 'Caps next game, a Cascadia Cup clash at BC Place this weekend against the Portland Timbers.
Can the 'Caps make it two wins in a row in this one? They see how they're feeling on that subject ahead of Saturday.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
The Third Sub can be found on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Anchor. It can also now be found on Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts and Radio Public, so if you have any of those platforms installed, you can now find it on them.
(We are no longer uploading to Soundcloud, but you can still find the first two episodes there, if interested.)
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of a crucial weekend for the club as they get back to playing after the international break.
Before looking ahead to that, however, they start by looking back, reflecting on the 'Caps most recent game before the break, a 3-1 loss to LAFC, sharing their thoughts on that one.
From some interesting personnel decisions, to what they thought of certain individuals, as well as what went wrong (and right) in this game, they dive into it all.
Then, they look ahead to what lies ahead, breaking down what they feel the team needs to do to remain a playoff contender as they get set for a tough stretch of games.
Afterwards, their talk shifts to the future, as they dive into a preview for this upcoming game, a clash at home against Sporting Kansas City, breaking down what they expect from that one.
Lastly, they take some time to chat about the new 'Caps kids on the block, that being the WFC 2 team, who officially kicked off their rebirth last weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey’s Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things CanMNT, as Canada gets set for a massive March World Cup qualifying window here.
So to start, they look first at the 25-man squad that Canada will be bringing with them for these 3 games against Costa Rica (away), Jamaica (home) and Panama (away). First, they look at their overall thoughts on the squad, before looking at some surprises, finishing with a look at some guys who they feel are just on the cusp.
Then, they look at what's needed for Canada to qualify for the 2022 World Cup window, of which they sit closer to doing than ever, putting them on the verge of snapping a 36-year qualifying drought.
Lastly, they preview each of the 3 teams that Canada will play this window, taking a look at what to expect in each of those respective matches.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as their 2022 MLS season continues to roll along here.
To start, they begin with the most recent 'Caps game, a 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo from this past weekend, diving into what stood out to them from that game.
From the team's struggles in midfield, to some questions with the formation, as well as some kudos to Tristan Blackmon, Thomas Hasal and Lucas Cavallini, they break down the story of that match.
Then, they take a look forward to what lies ahead now for the 'Caps, as they get set for a stiff matchup this upcoming weekend, when they'll take on LAFC at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, a locale they've never won in.
Because of that, they set their expectations for that game, seeing what would be classified as a good result for the 'Caps.
Lastly, they finish with some big picture questions, using the fact that the international break is just around the corner to see where they feel this 'Caps team is at right now. Are they below, meeting or above expectations so far? They share their answers.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they continue their 2022 MLS season here.
First, they start by looking back, as they break down what they saw in the team's home opener from this past weekend, where they drew the defending MLS Cup champions, New York City FC, in a 0-0 stalemate.
They look at what they liked from that game, and what they'd like to see change, as the 'Caps did well to recover from an opening day drubbing to the Columbus Crew a week prior.
Afterwards, they look forward to the 'Caps next game, a clash with the Houston Dynamo down in Texas this weekend, seeing what they expect from the new-look Dynamo in that one.
With some new moves in the offseason, this isn't the Houston we're used to seeing, and they look at why.
Lastly, they round things off with some Canadian Championship chatter, as they break down the draw for the 2022 edition of the Voyageurs Cup, which came out earlier this week.
Can the 'Caps make a run to the final? It's set up nicely for them here, and they explore why.
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Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they get set for their home opener at BC Place this weekend.
To start, they look back at the 'Caps most recent result, a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Columbus Crew in their season opener. There, they dive into what they saw in that game, before asking that question - was that a true reflection of what's to come for Vancouver, or are there fixes there for that?
Then, they are joined by a special guest to tee up the home opener, as Glenn Crooks of NYCFC's PxP team, who helps set the table for the 'Caps clash against the defending MLS Cup champions this weekend.
In that conversation, they dive into all things NYCFC, including their quest in the CONCACAF Champions League so far this year, the state of their roster, head coach Ronny Deila and much more.
Lastly, to close out the episode, they offer up some predictions for that game, as well as what to expect from both sides.
You can find Glenn on Twitter @GlennCrooks.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to episode 124 of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Harjeet Johal of the Equalizer and The Daily Hive to chat some Vancouver Whitecaps and CanWNT/CanXNT.
To start, they dive into the 'Caps news, looking at the latest out of Vancouver, as Johal shares her findings from a busy few weeks of training camp for the Whitecaps.
Afterwards, they take a look at the 'Caps interesting situation in goal, and what's next for them there, before looking at the Caio Alexandre visa situation.
Lastly, they round off the 'Caps chat by looking at Johal's expectations for the new MLS season, as she shares her thoughts on if they're contenders or pretenders (or neither).
Then, they shift their attention to some CanWNT/CanXNT chatter, looking at what lies ahead for Canada in 2022.
First, they talk about what Canada has done in 2022, which is to kick off the Arnold Clark Cup with a draw against England, before looking at what lies ahead for them in this tournament.
Afterwards, they look at the bigger picture for Canada, seeing what this year will hold for them, before seeing Johal's expectations for the team in 2022.
Lastly, they finish with some chatter about the big picture of professional women's soccer in Canada, seeing what needs to change there.
You can find Johal and all of her work on Twitter @HarJournalist.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
The Third Sub can be found on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Anchor. It can also now be found on Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts and Radio Public, so if you have any of those platforms installed, you can now find it on them.
(We are no longer uploading to Soundcloud, but you can still find the first two episodes there, if interested.)
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Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and CanMNT after a big few weeks for each of them.
First, they start with the Whitecaps, as they dive into a new acquisition, that of Sebastian Berhalter via trade from the Columbus Crew, before looking at a potential new signing, that of Andre Rawls, the goalkeeper currently on trial with the 'Caps.
Then, they look at a departure (of sorts), as it looks like Kwame Awuah won't be signing with the 'Caps despite a solid showing on trial.
Afterwards, they look at the 'Caps preseason games so far, and why it's been ridiculous that both games haven't been streamed, which is the sign of a bigger problem from MLS.
Lastly, to round off the 'Caps chatter, they look at the news that former academy coach, Bob Birarda, has pled guilty to several counts of sexual crimes that occurred over his time at the club, seeing what impact that will have on the 'Caps, who remain under investigation by MLS.
In the second part of the show, they then dive into some CanMNT chatter, looking back at a January window to remember for the team, one that has them one foot into the World Cup.
They start by looking at some of the individuals who made that happen, including Sam Adekugbe, Atiba Hutchinson and Alistair Johnston, among others, before looking at some other storylines that stood out from the camp.
Lastly, they finish with a fun question - what could this Canadian team's ceiling be in Qatar?
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
BONUS: In a special episode 122.5, Alexandre Gangue Ruzic and Samuel Rowan dive into the surprise news that x2 Vancouver Whitecaps MVP, Maxime Crepeau, would be traded to MLS. In that special 30-minute emergency podcast, they share their thoughts on that move.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of a busy week for the club.
First, they dive into the big news of the week, and that's the start of the Whitecaps 2022 preseason, which got underway at UBC this week.
They look at what stood out from the first few days of camp, including some standout players, some rumours, the preseason plan and more.
Afterwards, they dive deeper into some of those rumours, such as Janio Bikel's imminent departure, as well as the persistent chatter about Lucas Cavallini, before taking a look at the state of the team heading into the start of the season.
Once through that, Alex shares some conversations that he had with new 'Caps centre back, Tristan Blackmon, as well as fellow triallist, Kwame Awuah, who he got to speak to at training camp this week.
Lastly, they dive into some CanMNT, CanWNT/CanXNT and Canadian Premier League news that has stood out from over the last week.
(Disclaimer, this episode was recorded before the reports that came out on Wednesday that Maxime Crepeau, the 'Caps goalkeeper, would be traded to LAFC).
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to catch up on a busy month's worth of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS and CanMNT news.
To start, they look at the main bit of Whitecaps news, and that's the acquisition of Tristan Blackmon from LAFC (via Charlotte FC). First, they look at what they think of the move itself, before looking at where they think he slots in this team, and if this is a shrewd trade or not.
Afterwards, they go into some CanMNT talk, looking at the unfortunate news that some important January camps were cancelled in the lead-up to World Cup qualifiers later this month, before looking at some more positive stories, including the transfers of several Canadian players to new clubs.
Lastly, they look at some of the big MLS news dominating conversation recently, including one big arrival, that of Lorenzo Insigne to Toronto FC, before looking at some big departures, including that of Daryl Dike to West Bromwich Albion and Ricardo Pepi to FC Augsburg.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
The Third Sub can be found on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Anchor. It can also now be found on Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts and Radio Public, so if you have any of those platforms installed, you can now find it on them.
(We are no longer uploading to Soundcloud, but you can still find the first two episodes there, if interested.)
Apple Podcasts
Google Play
Breaker
Overcast
Pocket Casts
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things awards in a special edition of the show.
To start, they talk about one award that a team brought back lately, and that's the Canadian Premier League's North Star Shield, which Langford's Pacific FC won for the first time on Sunday. Despite facing off against the x2 CPL champions, Forge, away, Pacific stood strong and took care of business in the final, and they break that down in this episode.
After that, they look at what this win means both for Pacific, as well as the league as a whole, as it changes the landscape of the CPL as teams get set for their 4th season of competition in 2022.
Then, they shift their attention over to the other team in BC, the Vancouver Whitecaps, breaking down their latest roster moves, seeing what they could mean for the 'Caps team this offseason.
Continuing that, they then dive into a yearly tradition on the show - their 2021 end-of-year awards, as they give out some hardware after a year to remember for the Whitecaps.
The awards up for grabs include:
- MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- Unsung Hero
- Defender of the Year
- Shea Salinas Departure of the Year
- Robert Earnshaw Third Sub of the Year
- Eric Hassli Goal of the Year
- Alphonso Davies most promising player
- Kendall Waston most improved player
- Game of the Year
Lastly, but most certainly not least, they look at the news that the Whitecaps will be getting a 2nd team back (sort of), thanks to the creation of MLS Next Pro, the newest MLS U23 reserve league, giving teams like the 'Caps another option to give youngsters minutes.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as the club finds themselves in an interesting position.
First, they dive into the 'Caps last game of the season, a 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City in the MLS Cup Playoffs, a result that unfortunately brought a late Cinderella run from Vancouver to an end.
In that game, they look at what stood out, including an uncharacteristic performance from the defence, some tactical genius from SKC, and a bit of bad luck.
Then, afterwards, they look at what this result means in the overall context of the season, before looking at if this edition of the 'Caps, failed to meet, met, or surpassed expectations.
Continuing the discussion, they then go into an in-depth look at the roster, seeing who might stay, and who might go, as well as what the plan might be for all of the many 'Caps currently out on loan, before looking at some who might join them next year.
Lastly, they take a look at a big weekend for Canada's National Teams, first looking at the announcement that the CanMNT are heading to Hamilton, Ontario, for a crucial World Cup qualifier vs the US in January, before looking at the CanWNT's most recent game, a 2-1 loss to Mexico over the weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Men's and Women's National Teams, as they wrap up a monumental year for the both of them.
To start, they dive into the more recent matches, a pair of crucial CanMNT games in Edmonton, in which Canada took a huge step towards the 2022 World Cup thanks to 2 big wins over Costa Rica and Mexico.
First, they break down what stood out from each match individually, before diving into some overall takeaways, including what this means for Canada going forward, first in terms of their World Cup hopes, then what this means in CONCACAF, and then lastly, what this means tactically and in terms of figuring out a best XI ahead of the big games that lie ahead.
Then, they shift over to take a look at the women's team, which is getting set to play a pair of friendlies in Mexico this weekend, seeing what to expect from them there.
Lastly, they then look ahead to what lies ahead next for the CanWNT/CanXNT, and how these games represent the start of their journey towards the 2023 World Cup, in a sense.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they get set for their biggest game in a long-time - a 1st round playoff matchup vs Sporting Kansas City in Kansas on Saturday.
And to start, they take a closer look at how Kansas is looking ahead of this game, before looking back at how their campaign went, who to watch out for on their squad, and how they might lineup on Saturday.
Then, they shift over to take a look at the Whitecaps, seeing how they made it this far, before looking at a potential lineup for this game.
Afterwards, they then ask themselves how far this 'Caps team could reasonably make it, before sharing some predictions on how they think this game will go down.
Lastly, they then finish things off with a bit of chatter about some of the bigger news stories in MLS right now.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, along with a bit of Voyageurs Cup and CanMNT chatter, in the midst of another busy week of Canadian Soccer news.
To start, they first look at some of the more dark news, but news that is very important nonetheless, as they look back at some of the more recent developments in the latest Whitecaps Women's Abuse scandal, one that MLS recently stepped in on, looking at what that could mean for the 'Caps, who look set to undergo some much-needed changes at the executive level.
Then, they look back at the 'Caps most recent match, a 1-1 draw against LAFC, looking at what stood out to them from that one, which puts the 'Caps just 1 point away from returning to the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2017. From Vanni Sartini's tactics, to an interesting night statistically, they look at everything that went on in that game, one that could prove to be key on the 'Caps road to get to the playoffs.
Otherwise, they then take a look at a good week of thrilling Voyageurs Cup action, as that competition continues to roll on, before finishing with a bit of CanMNT news, breaking down the recent commitment of Genk forward, Ike Ugbo, to Canada, which was a piece of news that sent shockwaves through Canadian Soccer Twitter on Thursday.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast, presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of another busy week for the club.
To start, they dive into some of the more sombre news surrounding the club, as some more sexual abuse allegations emerged from former women's players at the club. They look at what those allegations showed, and what that means for the 'Caps, who need to do more to address the issues presented in these allegations, which aren't the first ones to rock the club in the past few years.
Otherwise, they then dive into the 'Caps latest game, a massive 2-1 victory, one that now has them within just 1 victory of a playoff spot, something which would've felt obscene to imagine just a few months ago. They look at what stood out in that game, including a continuation of the Ryan Gauld/Brian White partnership, a big game for Cristian Dajome, and another solid game from the 'Caps backline, who continue to impress.
Lastly, they then finish off with a look at some of the 'Caps award nominees for MLS's awards that came out earlier this week, looking at what players could have a shout of potentially making the shortlist for the league's major awards at the end of the year.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of another big week for the club.
First, they dive into their most recent performances, breaking down what stood out in a week where they beat Sporting Kansas City and Portland Timbers, before rounding things off with a draw against the San Jose Earthquakes.
They look at some of the main storylines that stood out from the week, including the strong play of Leonard Owusu in midfield, to the increased competition at full back, before ending with the never-ending question at striker - what should the 'Caps do with Lucas Cavallini and Brian White?
Otherwise, they then look ahead to the 'Caps next game, a must-win clash against Minnesota United, before looking at some of the playoff permutations that await Vancouver as they get set to play their last 3 games of their 2021 season.
Lastly, they then talk about the other big question on the lips of 'Caps fans after their play as of late - should the 'Caps make interim head coach Vanni Sartini their full-time head coach? Based on what they've seen from him as of late, his credentials have continued to grow by the day, making it harder and harder to ignore him as the potential #1 option to fill the role.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canada Soccer's Men's National Team and Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of a big weekend for both sides.
To start, they dive into the CanMNT chat, as they look at what to expect from Canada in their upcoming October window, where they'll take on Mexico, Jamaica and Panama in some crucial qualifiers.
From the squad called up, to what they expect from those games, along with a look at some potential lineups, they look at everything at stake for Canada here, as they continue their quest to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986.
Then, they shift over to the Whitecaps, who continue to remain one of the hottest teams in MLS as of late.
First, they chat about the 'Caps most recent game, a big win over the San Jose Earthquakes, a game in which Brian White announced himself to the rest of MLS with a big hat trick. After, they then look ahead to what's next for the 'Caps, a big away trip to Seattle to play their rivals, the Sounders, and what the 'Caps will need to keep doing ahead of that match.
Lastly, they try their best to predict that Seattle match for the 'Caps, sharing what they think might happen in that one.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast, presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of a busy week for the club.
To start, they look at the 'Caps latest match, a clash with FC Dallas from the weekend, breaking down what stood out to them from that one, as the 'Caps picked up a massive 3 points in their push for the playoffs.
Afterwards, they look at where the 'Caps stand in their race for the playoffs, of which they're currently very much in the race for, breaking down permutations and things of the like.
Lastly, they preview the next 2 games for the 'Caps, 2 arguable must-win games, which come against the Houston Dynamo away and versus the San Jose Earthquakes at home, seeing what they expect from those clashes.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Championship, after a busy week in both departments.
To start, they dive into the latest surrounding the Whitecaps, breaking down their most recent match, a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids. From there, they debate if that was 1 point gained, or 2 points lost, before diving into the more intricate details that stood out to them from that one.
After, they look ahead to the next 'Caps game, a home clash versus Dallas this weekend, seeing what they expect from the opponents in that game. While doing that, they also take a step back and do more of an organizational look at this Dallas franchise, sharing their thoughts on their latest move, which was to fire head coach Luchi Gonzalez.
Moving on, they then take a look at the quarter-finals of the Canadian Championship, which wrapped up this week, looking back at what they learned in those matches, before looking ahead to the pair of intriguing semi-finals that now await us in that competition.
Lastly, they share their thoughts on the surprising bit of news in the Canadian Premier League this week, and that was the firing of Rob Gale by Valour, who they then replaced with former Whitecaps assistant coach, Phil Dos Santos, brother of former 'Caps head coach, Marc Dos Santos.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they get set to head into a crucial 11-game stretch to close out the season.
First, they dive into their most recent game, a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers in Cascadia Cup action, a match that snapped a 10-game unbeaten run. They dive into what stood out from that game, both good and bad, and how to feel after a result like that.
Afterwards, they look at how the 'Caps have been doing as of late under new head coach Vanni Sartini, sharing their thoughts on if they feel he's the right man for the job or not.
Otherwise, they also talk about the return of Lucas Cavallini from injury and international duty, looking at what they expect from him as he gets set to get his first run of minutes alongside Ryan Gauld.
Lastly, they look ahead to the 'Caps next game, a clash with the Colorado Rapids in Colorado on Sunday, looking at what to expect from the Rapids in that one.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast, presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into the big news of the week - the firing of head coach Marc Dos Santos by the Vancouver Whitecaps, a move that came shortly after the Whitecaps were eliminated by Pacific FC in the first-ever Ferryside Derby in the Canadian Championship.
Fresh off of hearing the news, Alex and Sam dive into their raw thoughts surrounding the move, from the optics, the timing of it, discussing if it's the right one or not, and what this means going forward.
They also look at who they think orchestrated the move, see if it's one that's been in the works for a while now, before finishing by looking at how things are set up for the new coach when they come in.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time with a special express edition of the show, one where they dive into all things Whitecaps-related in just ~30 minutes.
To start, they quickly dive into the 'Caps last 2 games, a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy and a 0-0 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, sharing their takeaways from those games.
After, they take a general step back to look at where the 'Caps find themselves just past the halfway point of the year, seeing the precarious position their recent run of draws has put them in.
Lastly, they set a table for the 'Caps next game, a clash with Austin FC, before teasing their usual pre-game Whitecaps show that they'll do an hour before that game.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about all things Canadian Women's National Team after a big Olympic tournament from them.
To start, Alex and Sam dive into the big news of the tournament, and of all summer, really, and that's Canada's Olympic Gold Medal, as they finally got over the hump to become champions of the world.
With that, they dive into Canada's journey to get to that point, one that was fast, but also arduous, breaking down their performances in all of the games leading to that Golden finale.
Afterwards, they look at what this victory means in the overall context of the sport in the country, before diving into the question on everyone's lips - can this help accelerate the long-awaited arrival of professional women's soccer in Canada?
Lastly, they look at what their overall takeaways from this team were from this tournament, before looking ahead at what's next for them - first, a victory tour, and then, attention shifts to the 2023 World Cup.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast, presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy month of 'Caps news.
First, they dive into the big news of the last month, that the 'Caps finally have a DP #10, Ryan Gauld, looking at what this deal means for Vancouver.
After, they look at the team's current midfield depth situation, analyzing what that move might mean for some other players.
Then, they look back at some of the 'Caps most recent games, breaking down what's been working and what hasn't, as well as some standout performers.
Continuing on, they then update their stocks in the latest edition of 'Buying and Selling', where there are some big movers and shakers after some time away.
Lastly, they look back at the 'Caps first 2 weeks of training back in Vancouver, before finishing with some interviews with homegrown Patrick Metcalfe, Gianfranco Facchineri and Theo Bair.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada Soccer amidst another big week for both programs.
First, they dive into the latest with the Whitecaps, breaking down their two games from the last week, which came against FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake, sharing their thoughts on two very mixed performances.
Afterwards, they dive into their Third Sub of the Game for both matches, before finishing with a look at their stocks in the latest edition of 'Buying and Selling'.
Then, they touch on some other Whitecaps news, including some potential new signings, the loan of Derek Cornelius, and the prospect of the team finally returning home after spending months away down in the US.
Lastly, they break down Canada Soccer's Men's National Team's opening game of the 2021 Gold Cup against Martinique, a game in which they won 4-1 after a late scare, sharing their thoughts on a solid performance from Canada.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canada Soccer's Men's and Women's National Teams as they continue a busy summer of action.
First, they look back at how June went for the CanWNT, recapping their two games from that month, sharing their thoughts on the two 0-0 draws with the Czech Republic and Brazil.
Then, they look at what's ahead for the team, as they look ahead to the Olympics, breaking down Canada's squad for that tournament, and what their expectations for them are in Japan.
After, their attention shifts over to the CanMNT, as they look back at their big wins over Haiti in World Cup qualifying, as they progressed to the Octagonal, the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, for the first time since the 1998 World Cup cycle.
Once through that, they then look ahead to the Gold Cup, looking at Canada's squad for that tournament, before sharing their expectations for them down in the US.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of another busy week for the club.
First, they dive into their thoughts from the 'Caps latest games, a clash with the LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders, sharing their thoughts on both matches.
From the 'Caps late collapse against the Galaxy, to their bright spirit that they showed against Seattle, they break down the intricacies of both games, and what they mean for the club.
Then, they dive into their Third Sub of the Match, before taking a look at their stocks in the latest edition of 'Buying and Selling'.
To round things off, they take a look at the latest rumoured #10 target, Ryan Gauld, sharing their thoughts on his potential transfer to Vancouver.
Lastly, they take a look at the Canadian Premier League's opening weekend, seeing what stood out to them from an exciting first few games of CPL action.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Premier League ahead of the start of their 2021 season.
To start, they dive into some bits and bobs surrounding the league, including the format, before diving into some of the comments of CPL commissioner David Clanachan ahead of the start of the campaign.
Then, they do a look at all of the teams in the league, breaking down their rosters, before picking a new player to watch, and an underrated player to keep an eye on.
Lastly, they finish with some predictions, as they predict the league table, award winners and eventual champion.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports.
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they returned from a lengthy international break.
First, they dive into the main subject of the episode, the 'Caps latest game, a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake. From a slow start, to a late collapse, they looked at what went wrong for the 'Caps on Friday.
Then, they look at the new formation that was tried out against RSL, a 4-3-3, sharing their thoughts on how that went. They then get into an interesting discussion about the 'Caps not being put in a position to succeed no matter what formation they play, looking at why that is the case.
Lastly, they dive into this week's Third Sub of the Match, which was Derek Cornelius, as well as their stocks in the latest edition of 'Buying and Selling'.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
And this one's a very special one, as it's the 100th episode of the Third Sub!
To mark the occasion, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Hady Raphael, Peter Galindo, Thomas Nef and Mitchell Tierney as they join the show in 3 separate segments to talk all things Canadian Men's National Team in the midst of a massive month of June for the program.
First, they're joined by Hady Raphael of Culture Soccer and the Ball is Round, who helps them break down wins over Aruba and Suriname, before helping them preview Canada's next game, a clash with Haiti.
Then, they're joined by Peter Galindo and Thomas Nef of the Northern Futbol podcast (on Twitter @NorthernFutbol), as they dive into the tactics of the Suriname game, before previewing the Haiti game from a tactical perspective, finishing with an interesting debate on the concept of a 'Golden Generation'.
Lastly, they're joined by Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red and Darby Magazine to chat about more of the future of the program, looking ahead to the Gold Cup and the possibility of the 'Octo', before talking about some potential dual-nationals that Canada might look to recruit ahead of those games.
You can find Raphael on Twitter @SoccerEnFolie, Galindo @GalindoPW, Nef @ThomasNef, and Tierney @mitchelltierney.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS, as the league's international break rages on. To do that, they're joined by Third Sub contributor Peter Hicken, who stops by to share his opinion on the various topics discussed in this episode.
First, they dive into the big news of the day, which was the Whitecaps acquisition of Brian White from the New York Red Bulls, sharing their thoughts on that move. As they point out, there's a lot to like about White as a player, but as they also note, the move doesn't make much sense from the 'Caps perspective.
After, they get into a discussion concerning head coach Marc Dos Santos's future after Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster's comments about Dos Santos earlier in the week. They agree that Dos Santos hasn't had the most luck as head coach of the 'Caps, but as they note, his future might be decided quite soon if results don't improve, especially with how things have progressed these past few years.
Lastly, they close out the show with a look around MLS, sharing their thoughts on some teams through 7 weeks of MLS action.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Men's and Women's National teams ahead of a big month of June for both programs.
First, they dive into some of the men's chatter, looking ahead to what awaits them in June, as they get set to play some huge World Cup qualifiers.
They chat about what to expect from those games, break down the roster, project the lineup, talk about the taxi squad and more.
Afterwards, they pivot over to the women's team, looking at what lies ahead for them this month, one where they'll play 2 big friendlies and then narrow down their squad for the Olympics later this year.
In that section, they set the expectations level for those friendlies, chat about the squad, look at some Olympic roster battles and talk tactics.
Lastly, they share some quick thoughts on the CPL's rumoured restart plan, and why it's important that the league finds a way to get back up and running ahead of what's going to be a massive year for them.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the aftermath of their latest game, which was a 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo from the weekend.
First, they dive into what happened during the game, looking at how a slow start plagued the 'Caps once more, before a late switch to the 4-3-3 gave them a bit of life. They also look at the 'Caps breaking their open play duck, what happened defensively, and talk about who impressed on Saturday.
Afterwards, they talk about what's next for the 'Caps with this month-long break, sharing their expectations for the team after the pause.
They also pose the question - are the 10 games after the break the most important of Marc Dos Santos's tenure as a Whitecaps coach?
Lastly, they finish off the show by looking at this week's Third Sub of the game, which was shared by Ryan Raposo, Leonard Owusu, Tosaint Ricketts and Theo Bair, before updating their stocks in 'Buying and Selling'.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as the 'Caps get set to take on the Houston Dynamo this weekend.
First, they dive into some Dynamo chatter, looking at what to watch out for on Houston ahead of Saturday's game. Despite having a roster light on top-end talent, the Dynamo have quietly picked up a few good results this year, and Alex and Sam dive a bit deeper to break down how.
Afterwards, they shift their attention back to the 'Caps, looking at the mood in the Vancouver camp ahead of this game. They also provide a quick update on a few injuries, before projecting the 11 that will likely start this game for Vancouver, predicting a few changes from last game.
Lastly, they finish off with their predictions for the match, as usual.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy weekend of MLS action.
First, they dive into the main topic of the weekend, which was the 'Caps 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City from Sunday, a game in which they played probably their worst soccer of 2021.
Alex and Sam look at why that ended up being the case, before pondering the 'Caps road struggles, and then looking at how switching to a 4-3-3 could help them avoid performances like that in the future.
Afterwards, they then look at some of the individual performances that stood out, both good and bad, sharing their thoughts on the players that took the field on Sunday.
Then, they finish off their SKC analysis by looking at their Third Sub of the Match, which for this week were Javain Brown, Kamron Habibullah, Erik Godoy and Theo Bair, before quickly diving into their stocks in 'Buying and Selling'.
Lastly, they quickly talk about some Canadian Soccer news from the weekend, as a few names continued to impress abroad, while a familiar face got an opportunity close to home.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as a busy week for the 'Caps has continued to roll along here.
First, they dive into the latest 'Caps match, a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United, looking at who and what stood out to them from that game. From Bruno Gaspar's strong debut, to the interesting handling of Lucas Cavallini's minutes by Marc Dos Santos, they look at the good, the bad, and everything in between from that one.
Afterwards, they dive into their Third Sub of the Match from that one, which was Leonard Owusu and Ryan Raposo, before updating their stocks in the latest edition of 'Buying and Selling'.
Then, they look at some of the spicier Whitecaps news from this week, as the 2021 MLS salary numbers were published, giving fans and media some insight into the sort of money the 'Caps players are pulling in. Alex and Sam look at some of the players who stood out, mostly for positive reasons, as well as see some other interesting figures from around the league.
Lastly, they preview the 'Caps upcoming match, a clash with Sporting Kansas City away on Sunday, offering their thoughts on what that match could look like, before finishing with a prediction.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of a big week for the 'Caps.
First, they dive into the game that was over the weekend, one in which the Whitecaps cruised to a 2-0 win over their Canadian rivals, CF Montreal, despite a mixed performance.
They break down that performance, and share their thoughts on what that means going forward, win or not, as the 'Caps showed both plenty of good and bad in their win over Montreal.
After, they update their stocks in 'Buying and Selling' and look at this week's 'Third Sub of the Match', which for this match, was Derek Cornelius.
Lastly, they preview the 'Caps next match, a clash with Minnesota United on Wednesday, as Vancouver will have to deal with the unique nature of a midweek matchup.
Against a Loons side struggling after having lost all 4 of their games to date, the only team in MLS to do so, it's a fascinating matchup, one that the 'Caps will actually arguably enter as favourites for the first time this year.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps as they get set to take on CF Montreal in an all-Canadian matchup!
To do that, they're joined by Hady Raphael of Culture Soccer and the Ball is Round Podcast, who helps them get up to speed on CF Montreal ahead of Saturday.
First, they look at some of the standout individuals on Montreal, including Kamal Miller, Zachary Brault-Guillard, Djordje Mihailovic and Mason Toye, and how they've helped their team get off to a decent start, before looking at new head coach Wilfried Nancy and how his project has gone so far. Raphael also gives a quick injury update on some of Montreal's players, before finishing off with his thoughts on the 'Caps, as well as a prediction for the game on Saturday.
Afterwards, Alex and Sam take a quick look at some 'Caps news from the last few days, before finishing off with their predictions for this match, as well as update their stocks in 'Buying and Selling' ahead of the weekend.
You can find Hady Raphael on Twitter @SoccerEnFolie, and in writing at Culture Soccer. You can find the Ball is Round Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts, as well as on Twitter @TBIRMontreal.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey’s Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast, presented by Macey's Sports!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about all things Vancouver Whitecaps after a busy weekend of MLS action.
First, they dive into the 'Caps latest game, a clash with the Colorado Rapids from Sunday, in which the Whitecaps suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 1-0 at 'home'. They didn't play great, but neither did Colorado, but the 'Caps failed to take their chances, got undone by a tough goal, and couldn't muster up what they needed to in order to win.
Then, they look at how 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos was outcoached by Colorado's Robin Fraser, before diving into some of the individual performances that stood out - both good and bad - on both sides.
Afterwards, they look at Dos Santos's concerning comments about young forward Theo Bair, who was left completely out of the squad on Sunday, pointing out some discrepancies between his comments and some of the actions seen on the pitch.
Lastly, they break down this week's Third Sub of the Game, which was shared by Ryan Raposo and Kamron Habibullah, giving one word each for their performances, before doing a review of their stocks from the weekend in 'Buying and Selling'.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
You can find Macey's Sports on Twitter @SportsMaceys, and on Instagram @maceyssports
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of their clash with the Colorado Rapids this weekend.
First, to preview that game, they're joined by Colorado Rapids host and digital media producer, Rachel Vigil, who came on the show to chat all things Rapids ahead of Sunday. They dive into the Rapids start to the season, who to watch out for, expectations in the 'Mile High City' and much more.
They also get an injury update, look back at what happened when these two teams last met, and finish with Vigil's prediction for the match.
After, Alex and Sam dive into some 'Caps chatter, looking at how the team is feeling this week, and what to expect from them on Sunday. They also review some tactical notes they found from rewatching the Toronto FC game on the weekend, looking at what that might mean for the 'Caps set-up against the Rapids.
Lastly, they update their Whitecaps stock in 'Buying and Selling', before finishing off with some predictions, as usual.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Vancouver Whitecaps after they drew Toronto FC in their second week of MLS action.
First, they look at what stood out from the match, both positively and negatively, as the Whitecaps showed plenty of both good and bad in a topsy turvy matchup against their Canadian rivals.
Next, they look at some of the individuals who stood out on the Whitecaps, seeing who put up a good account of themselves, and who less so.
Afterwards, they make a plea to head coach Marc Dos Santos to make more substitutes, revisiting their similar plea from week 1.
Then, they look at this week's Third Sub of the Game, Derek Cornelius and Ryan Raposo, before reviewing their stocks after their first week of 'Buying and Selling'.
Lastly, they do a quick wraparound to talk about some Canadians doing big things abroad in both the men's and women's game.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS in a jam-packed 88th episode.
First, Alex and Sam are joined by Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red and Darby Magazine to break down the 'Caps upcoming matchup, a clash with their Canadian rivals, Toronto FC. To start, Tierney shares how he feels TFC's start to the year has gone, before looking at who to watch out for from this game, and the expectations for TFC against Vancouver knowing that some big Champions League games are awaiting them just around the corner.
After, Alex and Sam look at what's new with the Whitecaps this week, diving into some updates surrounding the team and its players, before then diving into some interesting comments from Marc Dos Santos, Cristian Gutierrez and Andy Rose from media availabilities this week. Then, they dive into some predictions for the Toronto match, first looking back at their predictions from last week and seeing how they did on that front, before then throwing out a few new predictions of their own for the Toronto game.
Lastly, Third Sub contributor Peter Hicken then joins Alex for a first edition of 'Peter's Ponderings', a new weekly segment where Peter joins the show to chat about stuff that he's been finding interesting in the North American soccer scene.
This week's topic? A look at a potential Major League Soccer and Liga MX merger, and how a Super League between both leagues could look, which in light of what happened in Europe this week, is a very relevant topic. They then also dive into some interesting storylines from around MLS this weekend.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Women's National Team action.
First, they dive into the Whitecaps talk, as they look back on a huge 'Caps win over the Portland Timbers to open the season, seeing what stood out from a tactical and individual perspective.
After that, they take a look at their 'Third Sub of the Game' from the match, before introducing a new weekly segment, 'Buying and Selling', where they place their faith in some Whitecaps-related stock heading into week 2 of MLS action.
Then, they recap a strong week of action for the Canadian Women's National Team in the UK, where they beat Wales and England in a pair of friendlies, looking at who and what stood out in those games.
Lastly, they finished off the show with some MLS Fantasy and European Super League chatter.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of their first game of the 2021 MLS season against the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
Before looking ahead to that, however, they dive into the pair of 'Caps friendlies they watched over the weekend, in which the 'Caps beat the Chicago Fire 3-2 before succumbing to Indy Eleven 2-0. They look at what stood out from those matches, both positively and negatively, before looking at what they saw tactically.
Next, they go into their preview for the Portland match, first looking at what they might expect from the 'Caps in that clash, before shifting the attention to their opponents, the Timbers, and what to expect from them.
After, they go into some predictions for both the match and a wacky prediction for the season as a whole, kicking off a friendly season-long predictions battle between the two.
Lastly, they go into Marc Dos Santos's comments on the development of Theo Bair and Michael Baldisimo, sharing their thoughts on what the Whitecaps head coach had to say about his pair of promising young players.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub.
Welcome back to season 2 of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this first episode of season 2, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps! To do that, they're joined by the newest member of the Third Sub, Peter Hicken of AFTN, as they dive deep into the team ahead of the new season.
First, they look at the 'Caps roster, breaking down its strengths and weaknesses, as well as where players rank in the depth chart. While they're still thin in a few areas, it's an improved unit compared to 2020, and the 'Caps will hope that allows them to take a step forward in 2021.
Next, they look at how the Whitecaps being forced to play out of Utah for the first 3 or so months of the season will affect them, and seeing if there could even be an advantage to that decision that might pay off down the road.
Then, they do some way too early award predictions, ranging from top scorer, MVP, Third Sub of the Year and more.
Lastly, they look at the Western Conference as a whole, before making some predictions about how they think the playoff picture will look at the end of the season.
You can find Peter on Twitter @peterhickens, and stay tuned to hear more of him on the Third Sub, as he's joining the team to do weekly segments on MLS.
Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram @thethirdsub
Welcome to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps! After a few weeks of focusing on Canadian soccer, they're back to catch up on the 'Caps news that popped up recently, ranging from transactions to talking about a game that was played.
First, they look at the big transaction that was made recently, as defender Jasser Khmiri was sent on loan to San Antonio FC in the USL, and they share their thoughts on what this move means for both Khmiri and the Whitecaps.
Next, they talk about the preseason game that the 'Caps played this week, as they took on the USL's Real Monarchs in a closed-door friendly down in Utah, a game they won 3-0. They look at what sort of takeaways one could even have in a game like that, including some musings on the formation and the goals, before serving a cautious reminder to not read too much into the result of games like this.
After that, they share some thoughts from having watched Whitecaps training last week, as they were both able to attend some 'Caps practices before the team jetted off to Utah. From Deiber Caicedo's electric training debut, to some youngsters that stood out, with some tactical thoughts also thrown in, they share what they saw from those sessions.
Lastly, they look ahead to the 'Caps next two preseason games, a doubleheader with the Chicago Fire and Indy Eleven on the weekend, which happens to also be their last preparatory games before the start of the season next week. With those games being streamed, they also share what they're expecting from these two teams in those matches, looking at the danger that Chicago poses, as well as the reunions that the Indy game will provide.
We'd also just like to announce that this episode was the last show in season one of the Third Sub! With a new Whitecaps season just around the corner, some new changes will be coming to the show, and those will be revealed in the next episode, which will drop in the week before the start of the season.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by a very special guest, Vancouver Whitecaps Director of Methodology and former assistant coach, Vanni Sartini. During this chat, they take the time to chat about all things Whitecaps youth development, as well as Sartini's career path, as he took quite an interesting path from Italy to Canada, via a career stopover in the US.
First, they dive into Sartini's career path up to this point, as he talks about his experience coaching in Italy and working in the US, sharing how he met Marc Dos Santos when the pair of them were working in the States. He also chats about what it was like to work under Dos Santos as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps, a role that Sartini held from 2019 to 2020.
After, they look at Sartini's new job, Director of Methodology, and what sort of work that job encompasses, as he's tasked to oversee all things youth development at the Whitecaps.
He then looks at MLS's plans for a U23 League, a model that is hoped to emulate Englands Premier League2, sharing how he thinks that should benefit players in that age group, especially for the 'Caps.
Lastly, he chats about some other bits and bobs concerning the Whitecaps academy, including his plans for the younger age groups, as well as his plan for transitioning players from the younger age groups all the way up to the first team.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Men's National Team, as well as a bit of Women's National Team chatter.
First, they dive into Canada's U23 men's team and their tough end to CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers, looking at what went wrong for Canada in that tournament, before looking at the importance of making the Olympics in the future, and how planning should start now in order to make that happen.
After, they look at Canada's Senior Men's National Team and their 11-0 win over the Cayman Islands on Monday, and what to take away from that, as Canada cruised in a dominant victory.
Then, they look at what to take away from Canada's first 2 World Cup qualifying games and what we learned in terms of Canada's tactical set-up during them, breaking down how head coach John Herdman has made a few tweaks to get the most out of Alphonso Davies and the rest of his teammates.
Lastly, they look at Canada's Women's National team's squad for a pair of games next week against Wales and England, sharing their thoughts on the squad and what to expect in these matches lineup-wise.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
In this special mini-episode, Seaford Russell Jr. of the Cayman Compass joins Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic and Samuel Rowan to preview Canada vs the Cayman Islands, as well as chat about the growth of soccer in the country.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about all things Canadian Men's Soccer, including both the Senior and U23 Men's National Teams, who find themselves in the midst of a busy week of games.
First, they talk about the senior team, breaking down their 5-1 win over Bermuda to kick off World Cup Qualifying action on Thursday. They look at what and who stood out from the match, Canada's tactical plan and what we can reasonably take away from this game, a game where Canada showed some good things, but also a few issues worth keeping an eye on. After, to round off the talk about the game, they dive into the Third Sub of the game from this match, which was an honour shared by Samuel Piette, David Wotherspoon and Theo Corbeanu in this one.
Next, they preview Canada's next match in World Cup qualifying action, a clash on Sunday versus the Cayman Islands, sharing their thoughts on what to expect from Canada and the Cayman Islands in that one.
After that, they switch over to some U23 action, as they dive into their draw versus Honduras to close out the group stages of CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifiers, a result that got them through to the next round, where they'll now face Mexico with a spot in Tokyo on the line. They look at what stood out in that match, before finishing by looking at the Third Sub of the game in this one, which was shared by Lucas Dias, Aidan Daniels and Mo Farsi.
Lastly, they preview Canada's crucial game against Mexico on Sunday, in which a win would book Canada's ticket to the Olympics for the first time in 37 years. It won't be easy, but Canada will feel confident that they have a slight chance of making something happen, so they'll want to build off of that and see what happens on Sunday.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by a very special guest, Mitchell Tierney of Waking the Red and Darby Magazine. In this, they chat all things Canadian Men's soccer in the midst of a busy week for the Canadian Men's National Team, at both the senior and U23 level.
First, they dive into the recent release of Canada's Senior National Team squad ahead of their 2 massive CONCACAF World Cup qualifying games this week, with Tierney sharing his thoughts on how this Canada squad has shaped up. They look at who's there, and who's not there, sharing their thoughts on what this means for Canadian Men's soccer as a whole.
After that, they dive into the games itself, with Tierney sharing his projections for these next two games, including his predicted Canada lineup for the first of the two games, which is against Bermuda, before looking at how rotation might play a role in the second game, versus the Cayman Islands.
To round things off, Tierney then shares his thoughts on the Canadian Men's National U23 team and their participation at the Olympic qualifying tournament down in Mexico, as they head into their last game of the group stages down there on Thursday. He also then talks about the 3 Canadian teams in MLS, including Toronto FC, which he covers over at Waking the Red.
You can find Tierney on Twitter @mitchelltierney, and in writing on Waking the Red, as well as for Darby Magazine (on Twitter @DarbyMagazine and on Instagram @darbymag).
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Men's soccer after an interesting few days of news for them, including the start of their CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying campaign.
First, they lead off with their analysis of Canada's U23's and their strong start to the Olympic Qualifiers, as they rode 2 early Tajon Buchanan goals to a comfortable 2-0 victory. They look at the individuals that stood out to them in that game, before analyzing the tactics that head coach Mauro Biello elected to employ on Friday, as he did a good job of emulating some of the things the senior National Team has tried to put in place these past few years.
They then look ahead to Canada's next game in their group, which comes versus Haiti, before rounding off their U23 talk with a look at their 'Third Sub of the Game' for Canada's clash versus Haiti, giving one word each for the performances of Ryan Raposo, Lucas Dias and Mo Farsi off of the bench for Canada.
Lastly, they look at some interesting news out of the Canadian Men's Senior team this weekend, as it appears that a couple of European-based players should be able to make it to Florida for the start of Canada's World Cup qualifying campaign this week, giving this team a boost they weren't quite sure they were going to get for these games.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canada Men's National Team U23 in a special preview episode for the CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifiers that kick off later this week.
To start things off, they break down Canada's roster, giving thoughts on all of the 20 players called up. They also look at what to expect from head coach Mauro Biello, as well as what's at stake for Canada this tournament, as they look to put 37 years of history behind them down in Mexico.
After that, they break down the format of the tournament, and see how these games being hosted in Mexico could potentially impact things. They also preview the rest of the teams in Canada's group, El Salvador, Haiti and Honduras, sharing their thoughts on what Canada should expect from them.
Lastly, they pick a few players to watch on Canada, including a player to watch, a breakout candidate and an underrated piece that isn't getting enough hype.
To finish things off, they make predictions for the tournament as a whole, giving their picks for who they think the two teams heading to Tokyo will be.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Premier League expansion.
First, they dive into the big Whitecaps news of the week, as Caio Alexandre was officially presented as a 'Caps player on Friday, and they look at what he could potentially bring to Vancouver. They also look at how he'll be expected to fit into the Vancouver roster, and give kudos to the team's recruitment staff for the signing, as they continue to do a good job at addressing the team's biggest problem in 2020: transitioning the ball forward.
Next, they look at Axel Schuster's lengthy media availability from Friday, as they dive into some of what stood out from that. First, they go into the main topics, as Schuster spoke at length about the clubs current DP situation, revealing that one of Ali Adnan or Lucas Cavallini are eligible to be bought down as TAM players, allowing them to continue their search for a DP #10, of which Schuster said ownership is willing to spend the big bucks for.
After, they look at some of the other tidbits that stood out, including the hiring of new assistant coach Ricardo Clark, the 'Caps recruitment process, Deiber Caicedo's lengthy journey to get to Vancouver, their plans for staying in Salt Lake and how they aim to free up some international spots after all of these signings.
Once through that, they do a quick look at the 5 'Caps called up to go represent Canada at the CONCACAF U23 Olympic qualifiers down in Mexico, breaking down how each player will likely factor into Canada's plans for that tournament.
Lastly, they touch onto the big news Friday out of the Canadian Premier League, as it was announced that Saskatoon would be awarded a new franchise, of which they hope to start playing in 2023. They look at what that means for the league, and what's next for expansion in the league, as there appears to be more movement looming on the horizon on that front.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Women's National Team, Canada Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps.
To do that, they're joined by a special guest, Harjeet Johal of the Equalizer, Daily Hive and ProSoccerUSA, who returns to the show to help break down Canada's performance at She Believes Cup, the Whitecaps offseason and some other important news.
First, they dive into the CanWNT talk, as Johal shares her thoughts on Canada's performance at She Believes Cup, which gave us a first look at Bev Priestman as the Canadian head coach. Despite a lengthy absences list, Canada battled hard in their 3 games, leaving an overall positive impression of Priestman's work.
After, they chat about reasonable expectations for Canada at this summer's Olympics, in which they're looking to earn a medal for the third consecutive tournament. They also finish off with some roster talk, including an interesting debate about the formation that Canada should consider using going forward.
Once through that, they take a quick look at the Voyageurs Cup drama that has dominated the conversation in Canadian Soccer circles this past week, as Canada Soccer announced that the final of the 2020 tournament would be postponed once again, while also automatically gifting Toronto FC a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League after holding discussions with Forge. After missing a chance to play this final back in the fall, this outcome always felt like it was a looming possibility, so they look at how things got to this point.
Lastly, they dive into some 'Caps talk, as Johal shares her outlook on the team's work this offseason, including their work in the transfer window, in which they've made a few good moves, but have a still few important holes still to fill, such as a DP #10. They also break down the hire of Ricardo Clark as an assistant coach, news that broke while they were recording, as they give kudos to the 'Caps for the hire, which filled an area of need in their coaching staff.
You can find Johal on Twitter @HarJournalist, and her work at Equalizer Soccer, Daily Hive and ProSoccerUSA.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian soccer after what was a busy few days of news on both of those fronts.
To start things off, they open things up by chatting about the news that Fredy Montero is no longer a Whitecap, as the veteran striker decided to take his talents to the city where he began his MLS career: Seattle, where he signed with the two time MLS Cup Champs, the Sounders, on Thursday. They look at the impact that the move will have on Montero, Seattle and Vancouver, and look at what this move suggests for the future of these 'Caps.
After that, they look at some of the other tidbits of news that came from 'Caps head coach Marc Dos Santos this week, as he spoke to media on Thursday.
First, he talked preseason, as he shared the news that his team had plans to play Toronto FC, CF Montreal and some unnamed CPL teams in exhibition games, but it all fell through, for a myriad of reasons. Fear not, says Alex, however, as he suggests that the 'Caps temporary relocation to Salt Lake to start the year might give them some potential opponents to possibly play some friendly games against.
Secondly, Dos Santos talked about the upcoming 'Caps international headache, as he's going to likely lose at least a half-dozen players to international duty at a crucial point of preseason in the next few weeks. Despite that, it's a problem he's more than happy to have, as he stressed the importance of working with National Team coaches to give his players the opportunity to represent their countries whenever possible.
Lastly, he spoke about how preseason has gone well from an on-the-field perspective, but also how he is noticing some early holes that he and the recruitment staff are looking to fill by the start of the season, giving him a team he hopes can make some noise in MLS this season.
Once through that, they finish off the 'Caps chatter with the rumours that came out Friday of Vancouver possibly signing Brazilian midfielder Caio Alexandre from Botafogo, for a fee that's reported to be around $2+ million dollars. Despite the immense potential of Alexandre, however, feelings are mixed on his potential arrival, mostly from a logistical standpoint, as there are lots of hurdles to clear before making a signing like this.
After that, they chat about some of the recent Canadian Soccer news that came out this week, including the proposed Voyageurs Cup final date that came out Thursday, as well as the rumours of there being a potential Canadian second division starting in 2022. They then also chat about the dream scenario in which the Voyageurs Cup sees a massive expansion off of the back of these moves in 2022, further legitimizing Canada's marquee club tournament competition.
Finally, they finish with a shoutout to some Canadian Men's and Women's internationals killing it abroad, before giving a nod to former Whitecap Marcel De Jong, who announced his retirement from the professional game on Friday.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps.
With the unofficial (but official) start to training camp this week, they dive into a bunch of storylines surrounding the team heading into the start of preseason.
First, they take a look at the good news out of Vancouver this week, as the 'Caps officially released their 2021 home kit, and the reviews are positive. With a return of the hoop, something many feared would not happen, the 'Caps now arguably have the best kit combination in the league, something Alex and Sam get into.
Next, they look at the reported signing of Angolan international right back Bruno Gaspar, who looks likely to head out on loan to Vancouver via Sporting CP. A talented full back, his acquisition should help the 'Caps out in many ways, but as Alex and Sam discuss, there are a lot of elements to be wary of with a move like this.
Ultimately, with a new recruitment department officially in place, a lot of those concerns won't be as important, however, as long as the 'Caps understand the risks when making a move like this, which appears to be the case. Either way, it's a medium risk, high reward sort of transfer, one that could help the 'Caps out a lot in the short-term, while potentially doing the same in the long-term.
After that, they look back at the first day of training camp, and what the team's mood was like after that first session as a group again. They also look at a few standouts from the first day, as some younger players put up a good account of themselves right from the get-go, which bodes well for the start of the season, given that they build off of that strong start going forward.
Lastly, they chat about a few other storylines piquing their interest, including Sam's Fredy Montero question, Alex's visa research, Thierry Henry's departure and more.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Angus McNab, GM, President and CEO of York United in the Canadian Premier League, for a very special in-depth interview.
First, they dive into the big topic that surrounded York this offseason, their rebrand, as they officially changed from York 9 to York United in an attempt to start winning over a fickle Greater Toronto Area market. McNab shares how the process of such a rebrand was undertaken, and what sort of impact it should have, as early reviews suggest that this was a good move from York.
After, they look at York's quest to improve fan engagement heading into their third season, something that McNab has been very focused on, considering his background in the area. From creating an active presence on social media, to creating a unique sporting atmosphere, McNab shares how York is looking to grow out their fanbase, especially towards that 15 to 30-year-old demographic, one that all companies are looking to engage more of these days.
Once through that, the talk shifts towards the field, as McNab shares how his team has gone about a massive retool that has seen them massively switch up their squad, with the goal of putting a disappointing first two years in the CPL behind them. He also shares how York's taking a big step forward in how they use advanced analytics to make such moves, something he's a big fan of having worked in that department for years before hand, explaining the value of using such stats and what his team has been able to do with that sort of forward thinking.
Lastly, McNab looks forward to the 2021 season and what he expects from his side both short and long-term on and off the field, with 2026 being used as a long term goal, with Canada's co-hosting of the World Cup cited as a benchmark for when he is looking to hit certain targets by.
You can find McNab on Twitter @gusmcnab, where he has shown to be a very active and vocal representative of the work that has been going on at York under his watch.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Premier League and USports Soccer, including the recent CPL USports Draft.
To do that, they're joined by a very special guest, Ben Steiner, who specializes in USports coverage, and did some work for CanPLFantasy ahead of the draft, helping prepare mock drafts and scouting reports to help those looking to prepare for the event itself.
First, they chat about the draft itself, as Ben shares his draft day winners and losers, as well as his surprise picks and omissions. They also talk about the production of the draft, and how it can be made even bigger in the future, as well as the challenge that CPL coaches faced in scouting ahead of this draft, with there being a lack of USports games in 2020.
Next, they talk about the CPL itself, and share some thoughts on the league's plans, including their bold claim that their 28-game 2021 season might even include fans in some stadiums. They also chat about the league's U21 minutes rule, and how that could be amended, as its current iteration could actually end up hampering the prospects of some USports Draft picks.
Lastly, they get into the sad news that rocked the Vancouver sporting world on Tuesday, as it was announced that TSN 1040 is no more, in a surprising and disappointing move by Bell. They look at their memories from the station, and what sort of impact this shocking move may leave behind, as the sports media landscape sees another move that hurts an already suffering industry.
You can find Ben on Twitter @BenSteiner00, and in writing for 49 Sports, Alpine Canada, the Kingston Frontenacs and BTSVancity among others.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS.
Up first, they catch up on the Whitecaps news of the week, as they look at some of the confirmed transactions that have happened in the past week.
First, they look at a confirmed departure, as David Milinkovic's contract was officially terminated this week, before looking at some of the names that signed new deals in the past week, as Andy Rose officially re-signed (and became an assistant coach for the 'Caps U19 team!), while 'Caps Super Draft pick David Egbo and longtime USL veteran Evan Newton signed deals to join the team.
After that, they look at how the CBA negotiations have progressed over the last week, giving some thoughts on the multiple extensions of the negotiating deadline by MLS, breaking down what sort of message this whole process has delivered.
To round off the episode, they then tip their hat to Club de Foot Montreal and the incredible work they've put in behind the scenes to build a sneaky-good team, before devolving into some more MLS kit discussion and speculation.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS.
First, they talk about something they haven't been able to talk about yet this offseason - a new Whitecaps signing. With the 'Caps signing young Colombian winger Deiber Caicedo, they look at what that transfer means for the 'Caps, and why despite his high price tag of around $2.5 million dollars, it's important that expectations are tempered for the first few games of his MLS career.
After that, they look at the 'Caps ongoing search for a #10, and the updates they've heard in that regard, including the revelation that they have 3 main targets in that hunt for a creative midfielder. With two of the three names already out there in some reports - Benfica's Chiquinho and Porto's Otavio, Alex and Sam dive into the supposed interest in those two players, as well as speculate about the profile of the third, still unnamed target.
Once through that, they look at the ongoing MLS's CBA negotiations, and how those are going, as the league and the MLSPA continue their 3rd set of labour negations in 12 months. Once again, things have been far from ideal in terms of how these have played out, either, as MLS has used a few negotiating tactics that have not sat well with players, including a few forceful statements and a premature release of the 2021 schedule.
To round off the 'Caps news, they then look at the revelation by Sporting Director Axel Schuster that the 'Caps will hold their 2021 preseason exlusively in Canada, before finishing off with some speculation about what the next Whitecaps home kit will be.
And to finish off the show, they talk about the CF Montreal rebrand for the first time, breaking down what they like about it, as well as what they really don't like about it, leading to some interesting debate about the merits of such a rebrand.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by a very special guest, Mike Ayyash. For those who don't know Ayyash, he's the recently named Whitecaps FC BMO Eastern Canada Head Coach for their newly minted Atlantic Canada Development Centre. Previously, he worked in a similar role at the Whitecaps Academy in London, Ontario, and has experience with various provincial organizations and Canada Soccer under his belt.
First, they talk about the creation of this development centre, and what awaits Ayyash in his new role. They also touch on the structure of the centre, and how the 'Caps will look to maximize the wealth of talent that continues to grow in the Atlantic provinces.
After, they touch on Ayyash's career up to this date, which has included playing for Dalhousie University, where they were the first-ever Nova Scotia university to win a Men's Soccer National Title, as well as his coaching career, which includes an 8-year stint as technical director of Bedford Soccer association. He also has a Bachelor of Journalism from University of Kings College, and they touch on the work he did in the media world before becoming a coach.
Next, they take a look at what the 'Caps long-term plans for this academy are, and how he's working with newly-hired 'Director of Methodology', Vanni Startini, to ensure the pathway to the first team becomes more accessible than ever.
Lastly, they look at how the presence of the Canadian Premier League's Halifax Wanderers can also help youth development in the Atlantic provinces, and how their presence will allow for a mutual relationship, not a prohibitive one.
You can keep track of Ayyash's coaching work through the Whitecaps academy social pages, and through some yet-to-be-announced social media initiatives by the Whitecaps, who are planning to beef up their coverage of their Academy sides.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Canadian Soccer ahead of the Canadian Men's National Team's return to action next week with their 2021 'Camp Poutine', as well as some rumoured games for the Women's National Team, and a quick MLS update to round off the show.
First, they dive into the Men's National Team chatter, as they look at the squad called up for these games, and what to expect from the various players that are making the trip to Bradenton Florida for this camp.
After, they look at what to expect in these sorts of games, and what they're hoping to see out of manager John Herdman, who has a very busy 2021 National Team schedule ahead of him.
Once through that, they chat about the Women's National team, who appear to finally be getting set to play their first games under Bev Priestman, as rumours suggest that Canada will be playing in the She Believes Cup in February, where they'll play the US, Brazil and Japan in some friendlies.
To round things off, they then chat about some MLS news, including some interesting transfers, and most importantly, the news that the CBA may be once again reworked, which could see the league enter its third labour negotiations in just under a year. At a crucial time for the league, that could be bad news, as they are too close to the silver lining at the end of the storm to risk throwing everything away.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 67th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat some MLS and Vancouver Whitecaps. To help them do this, they're joined by a special guest, MLSSoccer.com's Tom Bogert, who takes the time to dive into a myriad of topics surrounding the MLS and the Whitecaps.
First, they take a look at the CONCACAF Champions League and what LAFC's run to the final meant for them and the rest of MLS. They then look ahead to next year's pool of teams and see if there are any particular side that can replicate a similar run to LAFC's, and possibly even be the team to break MLS's duck in the Champions League since the tournaments rebrand in the 2000s.
After that, the talk shifts to some MLS transfer talk, including a look at Austin FC's Expansion Draft highs and lows, some big trades and why FC Cincinnati may be a team worth keeping an eye on this offseason.
Next, the talk shifts from players coming in to those going out, including Brandon Aaronsen and Brian Reynolds, and what their confirmed (Aaronsen) and rumoured (Reynolds) transfers suggest about the future of MLS. They look at how these sorts of moves are becoming more and more common, and are happening to more players, and the positive effect that this sort of business is having on the league.
They then talk about the new Young DP rule, which is supposed to officially come into effect quite soon, and how that rule change could possibly tie into the recent shift towards teams investing in more homegrown talent.
Lastly, to round off the show, they chat some Vancouver Whitecaps, as Bogert shares his thoughts on what the 'Caps have done so far this offseason, and their perceived reputation around the league. They also talk about any potential players that could be primed for big moves soon, including Thomas Hasal and Michael Baldisimo.
You can find Bogert's work at MLSSoccer.com, as well as on Twitter @tombogert.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In episode 66, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about some Canadian Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps news stories.
First, they dive into Forge FC's run in CONCACAF League, in which they unfortunately bowed out in the quarter-finals and lost a subsequent playoff in, as a win in either of those games would've seen them qualify straight to the CONCACAF Champions League, something they can still do with a win over Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship final early on in 2021. It was a strong CONCACAF run, however, and that fact isn't lost on Alex and Sam, who tip their hats to the still-new franchise on its efforts.
After, they dive into the news over in York, as it was announced that York 9 is now York United, as they conducted a big rehaul on the branding side. They give their thoughts on the changes, giving high marks to the branding itself, while giving their thoughts on what they think this may or may not accomplish in the long run.
Next, they touch on a bit of Montreal Impact news, as they get set to resume their 2020 CONCACAF Champions League campaign next week, before looking at the news that Canadian Premier League teams might be able to host fans in their home markets when that league campaign resumes in 2021.
Lastly, they finish with a bit of Whitecaps news, as they touch on the rumours of Deiber Caicedo's reported signing in Vancouver, before looking at some MLS free agents the 'Caps could target.
They also touch on the news that former Women's head coach Bob Birarda was criminally charged yesterday, thanks to some very important whistleblowing by some former players, led by Ciara McCormack, who's put out some important blog posts denouncing the actions of her former coach, and how the allegations against him were handled.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about the Vancouver Whitecaps and some other interesting news from the other Canadian MLS teams.
First, they dive into the latest news that came from the Whitecaps on Monday, as they announced that 7 players re-signed through 2021, while 2 others remain in negotiations, with 2 others officially being released from the team.
They break down each of the players implicated by this news, both in terms of who's returning, who's not, and who still might come back, sharing their thoughts on the decisions that the 'Caps eventually came to, and what it may mean in the long-term.
After that, they dive into some other Canadian MLS news, including the shocking departure of Greg Vanney from Toronto FC and what that means for them, as well as the rumours of a potential rebrand in Montreal, who are considering moving away from the 'Impact' moniker.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their latest episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Manuel Veth of Transfermarkt!
First, they dive into Manuel's work at Transfermarkt, looking at how he and his staff calculate the famous transfer values that they're known for. They also look at the volatility of those numbers, breaking down some of the different factors that might be considered when the evaluations are done.
Then, they take a look at MLS, and how the European market is starting to look at the league, especially in terms of the young talent it's producing, as well as how the improved coaching of the league is being perceived abroad as well.
After, the talk then shifted to some chatter about the 2020 MLS playoffs and what it's taught them, with some upsets and drama coming all part of an entertaining first weekend of playoff action.
They then dive into some chatter about the Vancouver Whitecaps, and what they can learn from these playoffs, before looking at some of what has plagued the club's quest to be one of the top teams in MLS, a quest that has yet to bear the fruits that they've hoped to one day yield.
To finish things off, they then dive into some chatter about the Canadian Premier League and some of the transfer initiatives they've tried out, and what Manuel's thoughts on their progress so far is. They also finish with some talk about Canada's place in the North American soccer landscape, and what they have to do to keep up with the US.
You can find Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth, as well as in writing at TransferMarkt.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into the first ever Third Sub End of Season Awards show!
The awards up for grabs include:
- MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- Unsung Hero
- Defender of the Year
- Shea Salinas Departure of the Year
- Robert Earnshaw Third Sub of the Year
- Eric Hassli Goal of the Year
- Alphonso Davies most promising player
- Kendall Waston most improved player
- Game of the Year
They give 3 nominees for each award, before announcing their winner, with Alex and Sam each picking their own victor, with overlap whenever applicable.
Overall, there are some very interesting candidates for each award, including some surprising winners and some intriguing names that left the show with multiple pieces of hardware in their back pockets.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about the Vancouver Whitecaps and their year-end media availability, as the 'Caps sat down and fielded questions after having complete their 2020 MLS season a few days prior.
First, they dive into the news that winger David Milinkovic won't be returning in 2021, breaking down what this move means for the 'Caps, while also exploring some reasons why he might have been the first domino to fall. They then talk about who might be next to move on, including a few names that some would've previously thought to be strong candidates to stay next season.
After that, they look at the news that Marc Dos Santos will be returning for his third year, sharing what they hope to see from him next season, including some improved in-game management.
Next, they talk about some transfer targets, as Axel Schuster spoke about who he and his staff are chasing, including a creative #10/#8, a left-footed winger, and more, with experience also being cited as something the club is looking at bringing in, along with some young DPs.
Then, they talk about the 'Caps goalkeeping carousel, as they read in between the lines and deduce what they likely think that the 'Caps will do in goal next year, as they head into it with Thomas Hasal, Maxime Crepeau and Evan Bush all on the books.
To finish things off, they look at the news that the 'Caps have brought in 5 scouts to their recruiting department, before looking at the importance of getting your ducks in order off of the field before tackling things on it.
Lastly, they pick over the other bibs and bobs from the press conference, before finishing with a discussion on what the 'Caps long-term plan should be concerning making the playoffs.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about the final Vancouver Whitecaps game of the 2020 MLS season, with the 'Caps having done well to beat the LA Galaxy 3-0 on Sunday.
First, they look at that game versus the Galaxy, breaking down some of what they saw, as the 'Caps certainly confirmed a lot of what was already known about them in the win.
After that, they look at how what they learned can be applied this offseason, as the 'Caps head into a massive transfer period for their team, especially given what they've done in recent transfer windows.
To finish off the LA Galaxy talk, they then look at this match's 'Third Sub of the Game', which was (unfortunately) a legendary 5-second cameo from youngster Damiano Pecile, giving one word for his performance.
Once through that, they take a look at the Whitecaps Awards show from last week, sharing some thoughts on the award winners, before taking a quick look at some MLS chatter with the regular season now over.
And to end things off, they each share a moment to talk about the legendary Tony Waiters, who unfortunately passed away on Tuesday morning, discussing the impact that the longtime Canada Men's Soccer and Whitecaps head coach had on Canadian Soccer and the sport in Vancouver.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 60th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about the Vancouver Whitecaps.
First, they pick over a tough 'Caps loss to the Portland Timbers on the weekend, they dive into what that result means for the rest of the Whitecaps season, as the loss left them all but eliminated from the MLS playoffs.
From some quiet games from the forwards, to another tough individual error defensively, they look at what plagued the 'Caps against their rivals, as they would be unable to reverse their struggles against Cascadia opposition this season.
They then take a look at the Third Sub of the Game from that match, which in this case was Theo Bair, giving one word for his performance off of the bench.
After that, they look at the 'Caps 4 nominees for player of the year, which were revealed this week, sharing their thoughts on who made the cut and who didn't.
Lastly, they look ahead to the 'Caps next game, a clash with the LA Galaxy, which depending on what happens this week, could be a 'win-and you're in' game in terms of rescuing Vancouver's playoff hopes. Against a resurging Galaxy team who looked freed up by the firing of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, it won't be easy, but at the very least, it'll be a chance to end the year on a high note.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In episode 59 of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about another Vancouver Whitecaps game.
This time, however, it's a 'Caps loss that's on the menu, as they pick over the bones of a tough Vancouver loss at the hands of the Seattle Sounders.
First, they dive into the game itself, before jumping into a couple of discussion points, including a look at Marc Dos Santos's confusing plan for his young players and the surprise formation change.
After that, they take a look at the Third Sub of the Match, which for this game was Fredy Montero, giving one word for his performance.
Once through all of the Seattle talk, they take a look ahead to the next 'Caps game, a clash with the Portland Timbers, giving their thoughts on that potential matchup, finishing with some lineup projections and score predictions.
Lastly, they take a quick look at some other Canadian Soccer news, including the appointment of Bev Priestman as the Canadian Women's National Team coach, some surprising moves at Pacific FC and Jonathan David's bad luck at Lille.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat another Vancouver Whitecaps victory!
After the 'Caps did well to grind out a victory over the San Jose Earthquakes this past weekend, they dive into how the game unfolded, as Vancouver overcame a slow start and a tough defensive mistake to get a gritty victory.
They then get into a debate about these sorts of victories and the validity of them, as the 'Caps have found a way to get results as of late, but not always via the prettiest of means.
While that may mean making the playoffs, the question of the long-term implications of such a thing is something worth pondering, especially if a lot of these guys don't end up sticking around next season.
After diving into the other parts of the game, they finish off the San Jose talk with a look at their 'Third Sub of the Game', which in this one goes to Andy Rose and Cristian Gutierrez, giving one word each of their respective performances.
To finish things off, they then look ahead to the next 'Caps game, coming against Seattle in midweek, giving a prediction for how they think the game will go.
With Alex on a bit of a hot streak after an accurate prediction for the San Jose game, he tests his luck with a bold prognostic, while Sam smartly goes for a bit of the more conservative projection.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 57th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Sebastian Pereira and Ben Righetti of the 90Plus Podcast for a special Vancouver Whitecaps roundtable.
First, they took the time to dive into the most recent Vancouver Whitecaps game, a loss to LA Galaxy, sharing their biggest takeaways from that one. They chat about what went wrong, as well as their thoughts on the substitution plan both in that game and this season so far, especially considering how sporadic it's been as of late.
After that, talk then shifts to the current state of the Whitecaps, and what the team can do to steady its ship. Some interesting discussion points are touched upon, including a very loaded question: Is it in the best interest of the 'Caps to make the playoffs this year?
Once through that, they then take the time to talk about the identity of the team, as the 'Caps find themselves at a bit of a crossroads stylistically and personnel-wise. They also touch upon the unique challenges of this season, and why the 'Caps have already endured a bit of a change in philosophy due to how this season has progressed, opening some interesting questions ahead of the end of 2020.
From there, they also pose another loaded question: If you're the Vancouver Whitecaps, what do you do with David Milinkovic and Fredy Montero this offseason? Milinkovic's situation seems more straightforward, as bringing him in permanently seems like a smart move, but what to do with Montero?
To wrap things up, they then talk about the upcoming Whitecaps game against the San Jose Earthquakes, each giving a prediction for how they think the game is going to go on Saturday.
You can find Sebastian on Twitter @sebastianp74 and Ben @RighettiBen, as well as on the 90 Plus Podcast @90PlusPodcast. Sebastian's words can be found at World Football Index, while Ben's can be found at Last Word on Soccer.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 56th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, taking the time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps after the 'Caps suffered a tough 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy on the weekend.
They take the time to look at what happened in the game, as the 'Caps just couldn't find a way to muster up the energy they needed, causing the unfortunate result, one that keeps an already-tight Western Conference playoff picture as tight as ever.
After that, they look at how things went from an individual perspective, as some 'Caps had mixed performances, both positive and negative, from some of the Vancouver players on Sunday.
Once through that, they take the time to talk about the David Milinkovic situation, as the French forward was surprisingly left out of the squad for a 'technical decision' on Sunday, leading to some speculation about his current status.
Then, they take the time to talk about substitutions in their 'Third Sub of the Game' segment, giving one word for this game's Third Sub, Theo Bair, before delving into a rant about Marc Dos Santos's handling of his changes in this game.
Before finishing up, they then take the time to chat about the Ranko Veselinovic transfer, which was made permanent on Sunday, then shift chatter to a more league-wide perspective, as they talk about the Supporters Shield debacle that gripped MLS all weekend, taking the time to propose a couple of fixes.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 55th episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about another Vancouver Whitecaps victory, with the 'Caps fresh off of winning back-to-back games for only the second time this season thanks to their triumph over LAFC.
With the 'Caps having done well to beat LAFC on Wednesday, Alex and Sam look back at what stood out from that game, including some improved midfield play, a deadly trio up front and some timely defence.
Even more importantly, they look at the sustainability of the performance, as they tip their hat to the 'Caps for not only winning, but looking a lot more full value for the victory, as well.
After that, they finish off the talk of the LAFC game by taking a look at their 'Third Sub of the Game', which in this clash was Michael Baldisimo, giving one word for his play off of the bench for the 'Caps.
To round off the episode, they then take a quick look ahead to the next 'Caps game, a Sunday clash in California against the struggling LA Galaxy, who come into this game having lost 6 in a row.
Can the 'Caps take advantage of that, allowing them to push even further up the MLS Western Conference playoff picture? Alex and Sam share what they think, before sharing some predictions of how they think the game might go.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about the most recent Vancouver Whitecaps game, a victory over Real Salt Lake.
First, they take a look at some of the individual performances, before diving into some discussions surrounding Michael Baldisimo's role on the 'Caps, and what should happen with Ranko Veselinovic and his purchase option.
After that, they get into a debate about Leonard Owusu and Janio Bikel, and how their performances have been so far, before taking a look at the play of Fredy Montero and Lucas Cavallini, and how the 'Caps should deploy them.
To finish off the RSL talk, they take a look at the Third Sub of the game, which ended up being Derek Cornelius, as they give one word for his performance.
Before moving onto the LA game, however, they then take the time to talk about an interesting statistical analysis that was made online about MLS teams and the substitutions they make, as they look at how Marc Dos Santos came out strongly relatively to his peers in terms of the number of subs he makes in matches.
Lastly, they look ahead to the next 'Caps game, which comes this Wednesday against LAFC, assessing how this matchup may go and looking at what Vancouver needs to do in order to avoid another embarrassing loss against LA.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Ian Knighton of RSL Soapbox, who joins them to preview the upcoming Vancouver Whitecaps clash versus Real Salt Lake.
To start things off, they take a quick look back at when these two teams last played, which was a mere 3 weeks ago, as the 'Caps picked up their last victory in a dramatic 2-1 result over RSL.
After that, talk shifts to how RSL has fared since that game, as they look to carve out their identity in the midst of a change of ownership, which Ian takes the time to talk about.
Next, the talk shifts to individual players, such as Pablo Ruiz, Kyle Beckerman, Damir Kreilach, Albert Rusnak and Sam Johnson, as Ian shares who he thinks the most important player to the RSL team is.
Once through that, they take some time to talk about youth development, as Real have continued to be one of the best teams at playing homegrowns, and Ian shares why that is down to a couple of factors, including opportunity and having a second team playing in the USL.
Then, they talk about the upcoming game, and how they feel about it, before all giving a prediction of what's to come.
Lastly, they take the time to talk about officiating and VAR, as Ian, who is qualified official, shares his thoughts on some of the interesting officiating decisions the 'Caps have faced as late, before shifting into a chat about officiating as a whole in MLS.
You can find Ian on Twitter @SwallowedWhistl, and in writing on RSL Soapbox.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 52nd episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Vancouver Whitecaps after they suffered yet another tough defeat this past weekend, this time at the hands of the Seattle Sounders.
They look at what went wrong in that Seattle game, which was essentially a tale of two halves, in which the 'Caps started strong, but fell apart in the second half.
After that, they look at the dubious officiating, which was unusually inconsistent, for both teams, before looking at what happened during the 'Caps second-half collapse, as individual mistakes plagued them once again.
Then, they look at the quality of Seattle's midfield, and what playing against it taught the 'Caps, before looking at the age-old question, how can the 'Caps keep more of the ball and avoid having to defend so much? Is it tactical? Personel related? A little bit of both?
Lastly, they look at their Third Sub of the Match, which for this one was Theo Bair and Patrick Metcalfe, giving one word for each of their performances, before wrapping up with a look ahead to the next 'Caps matchup, which comes on Wednesday against the San Jose Earthquakes.
To finish off, they also give their predications for the 'Quakes game, with Alex feeling especially confident after predicting the correct result and scoreline for the Sounders clash.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In episode 51, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Vancouver Whitecaps in a unique episode.
It's award season in the Third Sub world, as the guys dive into some midseason awards to hand out to members of this Whitecaps side, with the 2020 MLS season somehow having recently passed its halfway point, even though it hasn't felt like it.
They give their midseason picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero, Defender of the Year, Departure of the Year, Third Sub of the Year, Goal of the Year and Game of the Year.
From some surprising faces, to some expected winners, there's a lot of silverware thrown around in this episode, including one special double-winner (and it's not who you think!)
After that, they take some time to quickly preview the 'Caps next game, which comes against the Seattle Sounders this upcoming Saturday, as the 'Caps arguably get their stiffest test since the beginning of MLS's return-to-play plan in August.
With that in mind, Alex and Sam share what they want to see from the 'Caps in that game, before looking at some possible lineups and score predictions.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In a special milestone episode, their 50th, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk some Vancouver Whitecaps, before wrapping up with some Gold Cup and CanMNT talk.
To start things off, before diving into the 'Caps most recent game, a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers, they look at the state of flux surrounding the club right now, which was well summarized by Kristian Jack of TSN after the game, and look at his comments and share what their thoughts about all of that are.
How can the 'Caps steady their ship? Can Axel Schuster play a role in that? How does the club stem warranted fan anger? They try to answer those questions, as the 'Caps continue down a confusing crossroads that they've been stuck at for a few years now.
Once through that, they look at the match itself, starting off with a look at the individual performances.
They praise the return of Erik Godoy, give Ali Adnan and Fredy Montero some good reviews, talk about Cristian Gutierrez's bounce back after a tough and costly mistake, look at what's ailing Lucas Cavallini, before finishing by comparing the contrasting performances from Leonard Owusu and Janio Bikel together in midfield.
After that, they look at the team from a more global context, as they look at how they continue to get plagued by inconsistency, but are showing signs of growth.
Finishing off the 'Caps talk, they then look at Marc Dos Santos's rotation and substitution woes from Sunday, jumpstarting an interesting debate about the importance of rotating your squad and using your substitutions, with both Alex and Sam bringing up some good arguments to why using your bench can make a big difference in games like that.
Lastly, the talk then shifts to some international football, and more specifically, CONCACAF, as Alex shares his many thoughts from the 2021 Gold Cup draw this week, which was a landmark event for so many reasons.
Before heading out, they take the time to thank every one of you, the listeners, as without you, the show would be nothing. Thanks for all of the support you've shown on the episodes, and there is much more content to come in the future, so stay tuned for all of that!
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 49th episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by AFCCurtis, Canadian Premier League YouTuber extraordinaire, as they take the time to dive into an in-depth chat about the CPL.
To start things off, they take a look at OneSoccer's broadcast during the tournament, and their thoughts on that, before taking a look ahead to what the league could like in 2021, as the CPL aims for a return to home markets for a full schedule next year.
After that, the chat shifts to the main subject of the day, the Island Games, as they go around the horn to hear Curtis's opinion on each of the potential award winners, before then taking the time to take a look at each of the 8 teams and how they performed relative to expectations during this tournament.
Then, they take the time to chat about transfers, both in terms of the players arriving in the league and those leaving, as they look at how the league's agreement with 21st club has raised the profile of the CPL for internationals, before then looking at some of the players that will likely join Tristan Borges and Emilio Estevez as high-profile departures this offseason.
You can find Curtis on Twitter, Youtube, Instagram and Facebook @AFCCurtis, so make sure to check him out on your preferred channels and give him a follow there!
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 48th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about the upcoming Vancouver Whitecaps clash with the Portland Timbers.
First, they look at what to expect from the Timbers, who have been a streaky team as of late, rising to 2nd in the Western Conference thanks to a nice run of form that's seen them win their last 2 games.
From the threat of Yimmy Chara on the wing, to the emergence of Jeremy Ebobisse, as well as the 'Double Diego' threat of Diego Valeri and Diego Chara in midfield, Alex and Sam look at who the 'Caps need to be wary of on the offensive side of things, especially after a heavy loss to LAFC's talented cast of attackers in the midweek.
After that, they look at Portland's weakness, which appears to be their defence, which has only been masked by some excellent goalkeeping from Steve Clark, who continues to be one of the best goalkeepers in all of Major League Soccer this season with his play behind a porous Timbers defensive line.
Once done with the Timbers chatter, the talk then shifts to the Whitecaps, as they look at what the 'Caps need to work on ahead of this one, as well as how playing at 'home' in Portland will affect them.
They also try and take a stab at predicting both the Whitecaps lineup and the matches final score, with the predictions understandably a bit sour after getting them so horribly wrong ahead of the LAFC game.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time for a special emergency podcast, as they both elected to jump on the microphone right after a devastating 6-0 Vancouver Whitecaps loss to LAFC on Wednesday night.
After seeming to make some good progress in back-to-back wins last week, the first such time in over 16 months that they had done that, they took a step backwards against an LAFC side that has seemed to have their number in the last 2 years.
For the second time in 2 season, the 'Caps suffered a heavy defeat at Banc of California Stadium, which has seemed to be more of a 'Banc of Nightmares' for the Whitecaps, who lost 6-1 to LA in the same stadium last season.
While the result itself was heavy, Alex and Sam look at the root causes behind it, as the defence took a worrying step back after looking good last week, and it cost them heavily.
Call it fatigue, travel woes, or blame the quality of opponent, the Whitecaps looked second-best for much of the night, and it led to a devastating result.
Once all of the raw thoughts of the match itself are out, Alex and Sam then try to extract some positives from this whole ordeal, such as things the Whitecaps could learn, as well as what they need to keep their eyes on ahead of a big matchup with Portland this weekend, before giving a nod to their 'Third Sub of the Match', which for this one, was Fredy Montero.
Very much still alive in the Western Conference playoff race, they need to make sure that they don't dwell on this loss, which does count the same as all other losses, and bounce back with a win on Sunday.
It wasn't a good match on Wednesday, no doubt, and they make sure to point that out, but at the same time, it's only the tip of the iceberg, and now it's up to Vancouver to sink or swim now that they've hit it.
If you have Twitter, make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast @thirdsubpod!
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In the 46th episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about yet another Vancouver Whitecaps victory, which came over Real Salt Lake this past weekend.
For the first time in over 16 months, Vancouver has won back-to-back games, and they look at how the 'Caps made that happen, as they overcame a slow start to take out RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium.
From an improved defensive posture, to clinical finishing from a new-look front 3/4, the Whitecaps have found form as of late, and they look at if this is sustainable, with some wondering about the legimitacy of this streak considering that both came against 10 men.
After that, they take the time to talk about some of the standout individual performances, including the continued resurgence of Fredy Montero as part of a deadly front 3 with Cristian Dajome and David Milinkovic, before looking at what paved the way for this win from a tactical standpoint, as the 'Caps combined some resilient defensive performance with clinical finishing to get all 3 points.
To round off the match talk, they then take a look at this week's 'Third Sub of the Match', which is Leonard Owusu, giving one word for his performance off of the bench for the Whitecaps on Saturday.
Finishing things off, they then take a look ahead to the 'Caps next match, which comes against LAFC this weekend, as they try to preview what is going to be a very interesting game against an opponent that has been all over the map form-wise this season.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this one, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat some Vancouver Whitecaps, after the 'Caps did well to beat the Montreal Impact at BC Place on Wednesday.
To start things off, they look at went right for Vancouver, including a switch to the 4-2-3-1, improved defensive play and some clinical Fredy Montero finishing, all part of a pretty complete effort from the 'Caps.
After that, they dive into some of the individual performances that stood out, including the play of Janio Bikel, Russell Teibert, David Milinkovic, Cristian Dajome, Cristian Gutierrez, Jake NerwinskI, Derek Cornelius and Thomas Hasal, before looking at the good problem that the 'Caps have in terms of their much-improved depth situation from last year.
Ending chatter of the Montreal game, they then look at their 'Third Sub of the Game', which in this one was Ali Adnan, giving one word on his performance, before looking at what his short and long-term future could look like for the 'Caps.
Lastly, they look ahead to this weekend's matchup with Real Salt Lake, as they look at what to expect from RSL, who's form has been up and down as of late, before throwing themselves on the line by giving a prediction.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In episode 44 of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Canadian Premier League ahead of the final of the 'Island Games' this weekend.
First, they dive into both finalists, Forge FC and the Halifax Wanderers, and what they can expect from both of them heading into the final. Forge has an upper-hand based on experience, but Halifax has looked good all tournament long, and can lay claim to being a sort of bogey team for Forge these past 2 years.
After that, they look at the nominees for the CPL's individual awards, which were announced on Friday, and pick a winner for each of them, which include MVP, Golden Glove, U21 player of the year and coach of the year.
Then, they look at what each of the other CPL teams could learn from this season, as well as what Forge and Halifax have done, as they've done a good job at highlighting the importance of finding depth to surround your high-end talent.
Lastly, they break down some of the interesting nuggets from David Clanachan's press conference today, as the CPL commissioner dropped some interesting stuff about a potential 2021 season, what teams can do to stay fit in the offseason and some news on 2021 kits.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 43rd episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat some Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Premier League action.
To start things off, they dive into the most recent Whitecaps match, a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Impact at home on Sunday, as they were unable to build off a big victory over Toronto FC a week prior.
From another poor defensive performance, to a quiet game from their big players, and more, they look at what plagued the 'Caps on Sunday, as some long-term issues continue to come to the forefront once again.
After that, they dive into some of the individual performances from Sunday, and then share their thoughts on the hasty exits of Ali Adnan and Lucas Cavallini, whose fiery antics caused a bit of a stir online.
As usual, they then dive into their 'Third Sub of the Game', who in this case, due to a rare quadruple sub, consists of Fredy Montero, Cristian Gutierrez, Cristian Dajome, Jake Nerwinski and Yordy Reyna, giving one word for each of their performances off of the bench.
Lastly, they then take a quick look around the CPL's 'Island Games', as Round 2 of that competition finishes up this week, with a big final looming Saturday. If you like CPL content, stay tuned for later this week, as Alex and Sam will do a special finals preview sometime before the game on Saturday.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 42nd episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Tristan D'Amours of ProSoccerUSA, as they chat some Montreal Impact, Canadian Premier League, Canadian rivalries and much more in an in-depth chat.
To start things off, they talk about the Montreal Impact, as the Impact find themselves reeling after a heartbreaking loss at home to Toronto FC earlier this week. What does that loss mean for the Impact? They take a look at that, and other subjects from that game, as TFC stunned the Impact in their own ground for the 2nd time in 2 weeks.
After that, they chat about the Impact vs TFC rivalry, as well as the historic nature of the rivalry between Montreal and Vancouver, which used to be among the fiercest in North America, before MLS's scheduling for matches between Eastern and Western teams helped tame things between the two sides.
The talk then shifts to the current project in Montreal, as they chat about some of the faces of the Thierry Henry rebuild so far, before talking about the man himself, Henry, who has so far had a pretty good start to his MLS coaching career for the Impact.
They then look at the upcoming matchup(s) between Montreal and the Vancouver Whitecaps, as the Impact look to rescue their Canadian Championship hopes, while the 'Caps look to revive their MLS season, with their Canadian Championship dreams already dashed due to the recent TFC win over Montreal.
Once the MLS chat is done and dusted, they then shift the topic to the Canadian Premier League, which Tristan has been following quite closely, as he shares some of his impressions on the teams and players that have stood out on P.E.I. over the past few weeks at the 'Island Games'.
He also states the importance of a Quebec-based CPL team capitalizing on this wave of talented Quebecois players making an impact all over the league, before the talk shifts to the PLSQ and how players are falling through the cracks there, as evidenced by the standout play of PLSQ graduates such as Mo Farsi and Diyaeddine Abzi for Cavalry FC and York 9, respectively.
You can find Tristan on Twitter @tristandamours, and in writing for many outlets, including ProSoccerUSA, MLSSoccer, CanPL.ca and whatahowler.com, as well as in audio form on the Scrum Podcast and IMFCRadio, among others.
Welcome back to the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 41st episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat some Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Premier League action.
To start things off, they go back and analyze the Whitecaps win from the weekend, in which the 'Caps took out Toronto FC by a score of 3-2.
Alex shares what it was like to take in the match in person, while Sam shares some of his observations from watching it back after, as they break down what is only the 'Caps 3rd victory of 2020.
They also talk about some of the individual performances, as well as how they thought the new-look tactical setup fared, before diving into some talk about young players, and sharing their thoughts on what the recent splash of kids in the first-team lineup has done.
After that, they shift their talk over to the CPL's 'Island Games', as the first round of that tournament wrapped up this weekend.
From an entertaining finish from Pacific, to a clinical win from Halifax, plus business as usual from Forge and Cavalry, they look at what the final 4 teams did to qualify, before taking a look back at their predictions from a few weeks ago.
Sam interestingly enough went 4/4, while Alex went 3/4, and in the good spirit of the show, they say 'why not give it another shot' and give their predictions for the next round while they're at it.
To round things off, they then look at the recent reshuffling in the Whitecaps coaching ranks, as it was announced that assistant coach Vanni Startini will shift from the first-team over to the Academy, while longtime Academy Craig Dalrymple will move on from the club on October 15th, two moves which will open up a vacant assistant coach position on the first-team.
As part of the 'Caps long-term plan, it's an interesting move, one that sets the table for an interesting next year or so in the coaching ranks.
Welcome back to episode 40 of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Michael Singh of Waking the Red, the SBNation blog covering all things Toronto FC, Canadian Premier League and Canadian National Teams.
With Michael, they look at a bunch of Toronto FC related topics, including TFC's recent unbeaten streak, what went wrong in the loss that broke the streak against the Montreal Impact, learn the best way how to beat this TFC team and much more.
After that, they look at some of the individual standouts on Toronto, such as Alejandro Pozuelo, Jonathan Osorio, Michael Bradley, Pablo Piatti and Jozy Altidore, and look at how they've meshed so far as a quintet since getting their first minutes together at the start of phase 1 of the MLS return.
To round off the chat with Michael, they chat about the upcoming 'Caps vs TFC clash this weekend, and hear Michael's thoughts on the game, the importance of it for Canadian Championship and MLS purposes, before rounding off with his prediction, which based on the recent 2 'Caps losses to TFC at BMO Field, is understandably in Toronto's favour.
For the last 20 minutes, Alex and Sam round-off the episode by giving some final remarks on their chat with Michael, before giving some predictions of their own, with Alex going into a bit of a prognostic more similar to Michael's, while Sam leans into the chaos a bit, prompting a bet from Alex.
You can find Michael on twitter @MichaelSingh94, and in writing at Waking the Red, where he does all sorts of Toronto FC pieces, and is part of a weekly Waking the Red Podcast.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this 39th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about a myriad of subjects after a busy weekend of action in the sporting world.
First, they take some time to talk about the importance of the strike that many sports went on last week, in protest of the Black Lives Matter movement, before looking at how sports and politics will always be linked, and why that's important.
After that, they catch up the most recent Vancouver Whitecaps loss from last week, as the 'Caps fell to the Montreal Impact by a score of 2-0.
They talk about the play of the kids for Vancouver, look at what the 'Caps need to do to fix their offensive woes, and pick through their 'Third Sub of the Game', as is tradition.
The talk then shifts over to P.E.I, as they recap the latest weekend of action in the Canadian Premier League, as the 'Island Games' continues to throw up several surprises on the pitch and in the standings.
To round off the episode, they talk about Kadeisha Buchanan's historic 4th consecutive Champions League triumph with Lyon, and what that means for the CanWNT, while also tipping their hat to the competition for offering up some entertaining games this year.
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat about some Canadian Premier League and some Alphonso Davies talk.
To start things off, they dive into the week that was at the Canadian Premier League's 'Island Games', which wrapped up 2 matchdays over the course of this last week.
They look at how their predictions have so far fared, as they reiterate their confidence in some teams, such as Forge, Cavalry and Halifax, and have less confidence in others, such as York 9 or Atletico Ottawa.
After that, they look at some standout performers from the tournament so far, including the play of some youngsters that are catching their eye, including the play of some forwards on Valour and Halifax.
Once done that, they quickly talk about Jonathan David's debut for Lille on Saturday, before shifting to the talk of the country right now: Alphonso Davies's and Bayern Munich's Men's UEFA Champions League victory from this past Sunday.
Alex and Sam share why they believe this victory is so significant on many levels, before stepping into an interesting debate on its place in sporting history among Canadian sporting moments, including Donovan Bailey's historic 100 metre sprint at the 1996 Olympics.
But no matter their stance on the debate, the one thing they do believe: this is a huge victory, and it'll have a big impact on the CanMNT both in the present and in the future.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Vancouver Whitecaps, after the 'Caps suffered another tough loss this past Friday against Toronto FC.
For the second time in 3 days, the 'Caps were unable to muster up much offensively against Toronto, and they look at why that comes down to tactics and offensive work rate, both of which being things that this 'Caps team are seeming to lack at the moment.
From a lack of movement in the final third, to a dearth of line-breaking passes, Alex explains why he believes that the 'Caps need to restructure their play offensively, at least bringing it back to where they were in the preseason.
After that, they talk shifts to some individual performances, as they look at who stood out on Friday, including the play of some promising young Canadians.
To round off the episode, the talk shifts to the 'Third Sub of the Game', which for this effort, goes to David Milinkovic and Theo Bair, the 3rd and 4th subs of Friday's game, respectively.
Stay tuned for the 38th episode, dropping tomorrow, which will look at the week that was in the CPL, as well as Alphonso Davies winning the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this one, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all things Vancouver Whitecaps, fresh off of a tough 'Caps loss to Toronto FC to kick off MLS's Phase 1 return.
They look at what went wrong for Vancouver in this one, as they were outmatched in all parts of the game by their Eastern Rivals, and propose some fixes for the 'Caps next game, which coincidentally comes in a few days against Toronto once again at BMO Field.
Do the Whitecaps have the pieces to change things up? Is a formation switch on the cards? Who should possibly start on Friday?
Alex and Sam take the time to answer all of those questions, and many more, as they look at what befell the 'Caps on Tuesday.
After that, they take the time to talk about tactics, break down the play of some individual players, before finishing off with a look at their 'Third Sub of the Game', which in this one was Ryan Raposo.
Can the Whitecaps find the tactical changes to disrupt the Toronto FC machine? They look at what Marc Dos Santos could possibly try in order to do just that.
Stay tuned for Episode 37, as well, which should come out before the TFC rematch, as Alex and Sam will look to get someone with Toronto expertise on to chat about the return leg from the Eastern persepctive.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about some Canadian Premier League, Vancouver Whitecaps/MLS, and global football!
To start things off, they take a look back at the week that was in the CPL, as they kicked off their 'Island Games' this past weekend.
They review some of the opening matches, as they take a look at what stood out, both positively and negatively, from a relatively successful opening weekend.
To round off the CPL talk, they also look at how they're feeling about their predictions from Episode 34, before picking a modified team of the week from matchday 1.
After that, the talk shifts to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who resume MLS action this week with a doubleheader against Toronto FC.
Ahead of the first match, which comes Tuesday, they look at how they're feeling about both the 'Caps and TFC, who will have a lot to prove, for different reasons, in these matches, especially after their performances at MLS is Back.
Alex and Sam then talk about the transfer of In Beom Hwang to Rubin Kazan, and how that affects the 'Caps, before rounding off the Vancouver section with some lineup predictions, in which they share their projected XI's for the Whitecaps in this Tuesday clash.
Once done that, they finish off the episode with some 'Around the World', in which they talk about what caught their eye from an international footballing perspective this weekend, including some UEFA Champions League magic from Alphonso Davies and Bayern Munich, K-League action and a strong debut from Jonathan David at Lille ahead of their Ligue 1 season.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub podcast!
In this special dual-episode, numbers 33 and 34, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into some Canadian Premier League talk.
Ahead of the CPL's 'Island Games', they take an in-depth look at each of the league's 8 clubs, as they analyze the players to watch, the questions to monitor and storylines to ponder, before rounding off the episode with some predictions.
In the 33rd episode, they look at Atletico Ottawa, Valour FC, FC Edmonton and Halifax Wanderers, before diving into Pacific FC, York 9 FC, Forge FC and Cavalry FC, along with their predictions, in the 34rd episode.
For those looking for a comprehensive preview before the 'Island Games' this week, these are the episodes for you, so make sure to have a listen if you're excited for that to get underway.
With this CPL tournament promising to be an exciting one, it's a good chance to learn about each of the CPL's 8 teams, who will all look to raise the 'North Star Shield' as CPL champions when the dust settles.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub podcast!
In this special dual-episode, numbers 33 and 34, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into some Canadian Premier League talk.
Ahead of the CPL's 'Island Games', they take an in-depth look at each of the league's 8 clubs, as they analyze the players to watch, the questions to monitor and storylines to ponder, before rounding off the episode with some predictions.
In the 33rd episode, they look at Atletico Ottawa, Valour FC, FC Edmonton and Halifax Wanderers, before diving into Pacific FC, York 9 FC, Forge FC and Cavalry FC, along with their predictions, in the 34rd episode.
For those looking for a comprehensive preview before the 'Island Games' this week, these are the episodes for you, so make sure to have a listen if you're excited for that to get underway.
With this CPL tournament promising to be an exciting one, it's a good chance to learn about each of the CPL's 8 teams, who will all look to raise the 'North Star Shield' as CPL champions when the dust settles.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub podcast!
In their 32nd episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, Canadian Premier League and CanMNT, in what ended up being a jam-packed episode.
First, they take a look at the 'Caps and the latest rumours surrounding DP midfielder In Beom Hwang, who is reported to be on the move to Russia soon.
They explore In Beom's time in Vancouver, look at what this move means for both he and the 'Caps, before taking a look at the kind of player the 'Caps should target as his replacement.
After that, the talk then shifts to MLS, as they take a look at the league's confusing restart plan, and how they've found themselves in the middle of right and wrong with their decisions so far. With the Canadian clubs currently in scheduling limbo, it's an interesting time to be a fan of a Canadian MLS team, as we've all learned.
Next, they switch over to some Canadian Premier League talk, as they give their reviews on the league's away kit launch, and recent 'Island Games' schedule release. They also talk about the tournament proper, and what it can mean for teams, before teasing their plans for a full preview episode of the 'Island Games'.
Lastly, they look at the Jonathan David transfer saga, which finally came to an end this week, as he officially signed with Lille OSC in Ligue 1. They look at what this move can mean for his career, and how it's big for other CanMNT prospects playing both in North America and abroad, as Canadians continue to make waves in Europe.
Stay tuned for episode 33 later this week as well, as Alex and Sam will dive into a preview of the CPL's 'Island Games', which get going later this week in Charlottetown P.E.I..
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 31st episode of the show, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined once again by Peter Galindo of Sportsnet, in the second part of their chat covering all things CanMNT.
After kicking off the first part of their chat with talk of the new CONCACAF Men's World Cup qualifying format, the play of Canadians abroad, and the importance of testing yourself in certain leagues, they continue their chat in this episode with talk of their preferred CanMNT lineup, share their thoughts about Canada's upcoming Olympic qualifying conundrum, and finish with some Canadian Premier League and MLS is Back talk.
To kick things off, they go straight into the lineup chat, as they break down their ideal CanMNT lineup, from the formation right down to the players, position by position, arguing their cases for each selection they make across the board.
Alex, Sam and Peter all make some very interesting choices, so hear their justification for their choices and why, as they make some tough selections in this hypothetical situation, including some that may spark discussion amongst fans and media.
Once through that, they talk about Canada's upcoming Olympic qualifiers, and the importance of making a dent in those, before looking at how their quest to do that will be helped by the play of young Canadians in both the CPL and MLS, giving Canada a strong potential U23 lineup.
Before wrapping things up, they also take a look at some CPL players to watch at the upcoming 'Island Games', from a CanMNT perspective, and dive into the play of some young Canadians at MLS is Back, such as Theo Bair, Tajon Buchanan, Zachary Brault Guillard, Thomas Hasal and more.
You can find Peter on twitter @GalindoPW, and in writing at https://www.sportsnet.ca/ and https://petergalindo.wordpress.com/.
If you've missed the first part of our chat with Peter, make sure to check out episode 31 wherever you find your podcasts, or click on this link to go straight to that article.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In their 30th episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time joined by Peter Galindo of Sportsnet, who comes on the show to talk all things Canada Men's National Team, along with a bit of CPL and MLS.
To kick things off in this 30th episode, they break down the latest news surrounding CONCACAF and their Men's World Cup qualifying format, as they finally made an announcement ahead of qualifiers in the fall.
Now, thanks to a new format, Canada has new life in qualifiers, and Peter explains why.
It won't be easy, as there are a lot of tough opponents and venues to come, but once again, they control their destiny, which is all they can ask for at this point. Along with an impending Gold Cup in 2021, it's going to be a busy few years for the CanMNT, who will have a lot to look forward to in their road to Qatar in 2022.
After that, the talk shifts to Canadians playing abroad, as Peter details some of his findings from his 'Canadians abroad' series, in which he analyzed the seasons of CanMNT-eligible players playing in Belgium and in Portgual.
Before ending off for this episode, he also talks about the play of Doneil Henry in South Korea, along with the importance that a league can have on the development for a player, as Henry has proven to be a good example of what a move abroad can do for a player.
The 30th episode concludes then, but fret not, as the 31st episode will be the 2nd part of the chat with Peter, as they will go in-depth into their dream CanMNT lineups, before looking at potential Olympic qualifiers and the play of CPL and MLS CanMNT hopefuls in recent and future games.
You can find Peter on twitter @GalindoPW, and in writing at https://www.sportsnet.ca/ and https://petergalindo.wordpress.com/.
(This show is split into 2 parts, so stay tuned for part 2, which will drop soon!)
Welcome back to the 29th episode of the Third Sub!
In this one, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to do a special all-Canadian Premier League-themed episode.
With the league's recently announced return-to-play plan, the 'Island Games', which will take place in Charlottetown, P.E.I., they take the time to break things down, and tip their hat to the league for taking the time to properly ensure that health-and-safety protocol was met in this plan.
After that, they look at the press conference held by commissioner David Clanachan the day prior, as they break down some of his comments, including talk about the PFACan, TV broadcast deals and health protocols.
They show their support for the PFACan, state the importance of broadcasting these games on TV, and share why they think this saftey protocol has the chance to be among some of the best in North America in terms of sports returning to play.
To round off this episode, they break down their way-too-early tier lists for teams at this tournament, before giving a best and worst-case scenario for each team, while also picking some dark horses and teams to watch.
The last 20 minutes of the episode are then taken by Alex, as he shares the audio from a recent interview he conducted with Terran Campbell, who spoke to Alex about some interesting topics, including his impressions of his first CPL season, his goals for the future, Black Lives Matter, and much more. (You can find the written interview here!).
Stay tuned for future episodes of the Third Sub, as there will be a more in-depth preview of the tournament in future weeks, including a look into the teams and the players they'll be bringing to P.E.I.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub!
In their 28th episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back, this time to chat some more Vancouver Whitecaps, after the 'Caps concluded their MLS is Back tournament this past weekend, in what was a heartbreaking loss to Sporting Kansas City.
To kick off the show, they look at what happened in that loss, both good and bad, as the 'Caps did well to push SKC to penalty kicks, where they eventually succumbed.
From the play of their youngsters, to their defensive resilience, and much more, there was a lot of good to highlight, as Vancouver continued to bounce back nicely from a tough start to their MLS is Back tournament.
After that, they dive into some of the performances that stood out, on both sides, before sharing their thoughts on potential penalty kick strategies and lineups, a debate often brought up in the context of analytical studies on the matter.
The talk then shifts to their 'Third Sub of the Game', which given the fact that the 'Caps only made 1 substitution, was a segment that was rendered a bit moot, but they took that time to talk about why they weren't surprised given the tough circumstances under which head coach Marc Dos Santos had to operate in against SKC.
To round off the episode, they then look ahead to some of the other stuff they plan to talk about on upcoming shows, including a full post-mortem of the 'Caps performance at MLS is Back, the CPL's return and the latest CONCACAF Men's World Cup qualifying announcement.
So stay tuned for that, and thanks for coming by and listening to this latest episode of the podcast!
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub!
In their 27th episode, Alex and Sam are back, this time joined by Cody Bradley of the Blue Testament, a website covering all things Sporting Kansas City, to help preview the Vancouver Whitecaps clash against Sporting KC this Sunday.
With Cody, they dive into how things have gone this tournament so far for SKC, who look like early MLS is Back favourites, thanks to some strong play across the board, especially offensively. Thanks to new arrivals Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda, SKC are flying, and Cody explains why.
After, they talk about what to expect from SKC in a big match like this, as well as look at the expectations of the club at MLS is Back, with Sporting KC seeming poised to make a deep run down in Orlando.
They then take a look at what the 'Caps need to do in order to have a chance against SKC, especially in a one game knockout match, where anything can happen. Cody shares his concerns with the team so far, and explains how the 'Caps can exploit them, especially in a match like this.
To round things off, they chat some 'Caps vs SKC barnburners of MLS's past, offer some predictions for the match, and learn a bit of Kansas City geography.
You can find Cody on twitter @ThatCodyTho, and his written work at The Blue Testament, the SB Nation blog covering all things Sporting Kansas City.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, this time to talk about the Vancouver Whitecaps surprise victory over the Chicago Fire on Thursday.
Shortly after the match, they hopped on the microphones to give their fresh takes after a big win for the 'Caps, who eliminated the Fire and advanced to the Round of 16 at MLS is Back in one big swoop.
To start things off, they break down the tactics that allowed the 'Caps to do just that, as they tip their hat to Marc Dos Santos for acknowledging his team's weaknesses and playing to their strengths, which they did to perfection in this one. It wasn't pretty, but considering how shorthanded they are, it was necessary, and it paved the way for them to grab 3 crucial points.
After that, talk shifts to some of the individual performances, as they look at how the players fared. From the standout performers, to some of the quieter names, they look at the characters who proved to be key to this victory.
That provides a nice segway into the end of the show, where they break down their 'Third Sub(s) of the Game', which today were David Milinkovic and Cristian Gutierrez, and each give a phrase to describe their impact off of the bench.
Before signing off, they also then look ahead to the next 'Caps game, as they each pick who they'd rather face between Sporting Kansas City and Toronto FC, the 2 teams that Vancouver has a chance of facing, which will be decided based on how the LA Galaxy vs Houston game later on Thursday goes.
Depending on which of the two teams they get, Alex and Sam also plan to do a special preview show ahead of that match, so stay tuned for that!
In their 25th episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back, this time to chat the latest Vancouver Whitecaps loss to the Seattle Sounders this past Sunday at MLS is Back.
To kick things off, they chat what went wrong against the Sounders, who executed a masterclass in counter-attacking football against the 'Caps. How could the 'Caps have reacted better to that? Alex and Sam discuss.
They also chat Thomas Hasal's debut, Max Crepeau's unfortunate injury, the call to give Theo Bair more minutes, Erik Godoy's importance and the 'Caps formation conundrum in the first part of the show.
After that, the talk shifts to the individual performances against the Sounders, as they split the players into 3 categories, and talk about their overall impressions of how each player fared against Seattle.
To round things off, they give one word each for their 'Third Sub of the Game', which in this one went to Thomas Hasal, Derek Cornelius and Cristian Gutierrez, as Marc Dos Santos actually made full use of his substitutions on Sunday.
Before wrapping up, they also look ahead to the Chicago Fire on Thursday, and crunch what needs to happen for the Whitecaps to have any hope at advancing to the next round of the MLS is Back tournament.
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk all-things Vancouver Whitecaps.
And for the first time in 4 months, they actually have a game to talk about, as the Whitecaps took on the San Jose Earthquakes to open their MLS is Back tournament on Wednesday. With that game still very fresh in their memories, they take a look back at what they took away from that performance, as the 'Caps ultimately succumbed to the 'Quakes by a score of 4-3, after having done so well to go up 4-3.
They look at how the 'Caps got that lead, but also how they throw away, while pondering one important question: could it all have been avoided? As a result of that question, it leads to a nuanced tactical debate, as they break down why San Jose was able to get back into the game, and how Marc Dos Santos could have potentially adjusted to neutralize the 'Quakes resurgence.
After that, they shift their talk to the individual performances, as they rate the performance of every Whitecaps player that saw the field, before rating their 'Third Sub of the Game', which in this case was MLS debutant Patrick Metcalfe.
To wrap up the episode, they look at the upcoming Seattle Sounders game on Sunday, and give their thoughts on what they could potentially see happening, as both teams get set to do battle in the latest installement of the Cascadia Cup.
For a more in-depth preview on the 'Caps vs the Sounders, make sure to check out Episode 23, right at the 42nd minute, as Jeremiah Oshan of Sounder at Heart joined the show to set the table for that clash. You can find that episode here.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub!
In this 23rd episode, Alex and Sam are back, this time joined by a full complement of guests, who join the show to help them preview the Vancouver Whitecaps 3 opponents throughout Group B at MLS is Back.
To kick things off, they're joined by Alicia Rodriguez of SB Nation in California, who covers all California teams for SB Nation, including the San Jose Earthquakes with 'Center Line Soccer'.
She takes the time to chat all things Earthquakes, including a look at the impact Matias Almeyda has had, the 'Quakes most important players, how they match up against the 'Caps, and the 'Third Wheel' rivalry both teams have developed.
Next up, Alex and Sam are joined by Jeremiah Oshan of Sounder at Heart in Seattle, who covers all things Seattle soccer, with a primary focus on the Sounders.
He takes the time to chat the Sounders vs Whitecaps rivalry, the Sounders struggles at MLS is Back so far, the important players on the Sounders, their squad's fitness conundrum, some scheduling woes, and the youth movement down in Seattle.
Lastly, Alex and Sam are joined by Mike and Nick of Sons of a Pitch podcast, who run an MLS-based podcast out of the Chicago area.
In that part, they take the time to chat the Fire's rebrand, the outlook for this rebuilding roster, their early-season defensive struggles, some returning and new players to watch, their thoughts on the new management, and how the move to Soldier Field can help out this club long-term.
Alicia can be found on twitter @soccermusings, and she can be found in writing at Center Line Soccer, Angels on Parade and LAG Confidential, the three Californian SB Nation sites.
Jeremiah can be found on twitter @JeremiahOshan, as well as in writing over at Sounder at Heart.
Lastly, you can find Mike and Nick on twitter @SOPSoccer, as well as on their website, Sons of a Pitch, where they regularly post their podcast.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub! In this 22nd episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to discuss the Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of their debut in the MLS is Back tournament! From the squad, which was released this past week, to the schedule and group opponents, they take a look at their thoughts on the 'Caps ahead of this competition, which officially got underway this past week. Speaking of that, they also take a look at their early impressions from what they've seen so far in this tournament, which as of recording had only been 3 games, as they share what they like, and also dislike, about the league's return so far. From giving thumbs up to the quality of play and the Black Lives Matter protests, to thumbs down for the excessive advertisements and the weird rules, they share what's on their mind for MLS is Back tournament. Stay tuned for the next episode, as well, as Alex and Sam will bring in some people to chat the other teams in the 'Caps group, Chicago, San Jose and Seattle.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub!
For this 21st episode, Alex and Sam are joined by J.J. Adams of Postmedia, who stopped by the podcast to chat some Whitecaps and MLS.
To kick things off, they take a look at the latest Whitecaps news ahead of the MLS is Back tournament, which is now slated to kick off less than a week from now, and how the team has delayed their travel there as a result of some complications both at home and in Orlando.
With their opening day game against FC Dallas at risk of postponement, due to an outbreak of COVID throughout Dallas's roster, J.J. shares why the 'Caps are playing things safe, and are now just waiting for the right moment to head down, which as of recording, appears to be on Saturday the 4th, now.
After that, they take a look at how a lot of the struggles with this tournament could have been avoided, mainly due to the league's insistence on rushing things, and how it has made for an interesting couple of weeks.
To round off J.J.'s portion of the show, they then take a look at the recent creation of the Black Players coalition of MLS, and how important that having that committee give a voice to Black players. In light of the recent protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, it's a good way to give a platform for Black players, and help MLS push towards that 'Soccer for All' slogan that they've loved to preach about.
In the 2nd half of the show, Alex and Sam start things off with a look at the Canadian Premier League, and look at why news has been slow out of that league, before stating why they believe this recent silence could prove to be negative for the CPL as a whole.
To wrap things off, as usual, they then go 'Around the World' in their closing segment, giving them a chance to shout out the NWSL, K-League, Premier League, La Liga and more.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub!
In this special episode, number 20, Alex and Sam are joined by BTS's own Ben Steiner, who is also the founder of 49Sport (https://49-sport.com/), a website covering all things USports in Canada, to chat MLS, USports and CPL soccer.
So to kick things off, they dive straight into the latest Vancouver Whitecaps news, starting off with the release of the MLS's 'Return to Play' schedule this past week. They break down how they think this schedule favours the 'Caps, who play FC Dallas on July 9th, the San Jose Earthquakes on July 15th, and the Seattle Sounders on July 20th, before sharing their expectations and predictions for the tournament itself, which gets underway in less than 2 weeks.
After that, the talk shifts to USports, as Ben breaks down the cancellations of the fall seasons in the OUA, Canada West and AUS, and how that affects programs that were already feeling the strain of this pandemic. How can USports recover from this? He shares his thoughts, and more, as they ponder the future of University sports in Canada.
The talk then finishes off with some CPL and USports Soccer chatter, as they chat about the opportunity that the CPL is giving young soccer players in this country, who are now able to pursue both an education and a professional career, without sacrificing one or the other. As we've seen with the rise of players such as Joel Waterman, this new partnership is working, and the guys tip their hat to that, before offering some suggestions to push things forward even more.
They then finish things off with a look at some names to watch this year in both USports and CPL soccer, before ending with 'Around the World', the look at leagues that are piquing their interest this week in the global game.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub!
In this special episode, Alex and Sam are back, this time joined by Harjeet Johal, A.K.A Har Journalist, a local Vancouver journalist who covers the Whitecaps, the Canada Women's national team and more, with bylines in ProSoccerUSA, The Equalizer, Daily Hive and more!
To kick things off, they take a look at the departure of CEO Mark Pannes from the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the shockwaves that move has sent throughout the club. Har shares what she's heard from the inside, with this move blindsiding many, both inside and outside of the team. After years of frustration, this appears to have been the straw that broke many people's backs, and we take a look at why that is the case.
Can the 'Caps come back from this? Is it time to sell? Is that even possible? Can new dual CEO and Sporting Director, Axel Schuster, handle the responsibility of his new job? They look at these questions, and many more, in the first part of the show.
After, talk shifts to MLS, where the plans for the 'Return to Play' tournament continues to ramp up down in Orlando, with the official draw for the competition having been completed last week. They take a look at the draw itself, and why it's ridiculous to call it "a random draw", before voicing their concerns with the safety of players considering Florida's handling of COVID-19 recently.
Lastly, the talk shifts over to Canada's Women's National Team, who made a big move last week by parting ways with head coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller, coach of over 2 years now. Har shares her thoughts on the move, and what she is looking for from a next head coach, who will have a busy next couple of years of preparation, with the 2021 Olympics and 2023 World Cup coming up. As Canada's quest for their first major trophy continues, whoever is hired will have to find a way to push this team over a hump that they've never quite been able to get over.
As is customary, the episode rounds off with Alex's and Sam's 'Around the World' segment, where they catch up on all things global soccer, including the Bundesliga, the Premier League and the K-League.
Welcome back to the latest episode of the Third Sub! In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, this time to discuss the return of MLS! With the news that the North American soccer circuit is planning to return next month in Orlando, they take a look at the positives and negatives of this 'Return to Play' tournament, both from a competitive and health protocol standpoint. They also take a look at how this affects the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are getting set to take this tournament really seriously, thanks to some of the incentives provided in terms of a prize pot and a potential CONCACAF Champions League spot. After that, to round off the episode, they take a look at their weekly Bundesliga and K-League wrap up, before teasing some new content to come during the next couple of weeks.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to talk about some loaded subjects in both the North American and European soccer scene.
First, they take a look at MLS's return to play strategy, which only materialized after intense negotiations, during which the MLSPA and MLS's owners butted heads on a myriad of issues. Despite strong resistance from the owners, the MLSPA stood strong, and eventually got most of the concessions that they wanted on a new CBA, paving the way for a return next month in Orlando.
After that, talks shift up towards Canada, where the CPL is preparing a similar return plan to that of MLS, but they find themselves a few steps behind their fellow North American league, as the PFACan looks to ensure that its players are taken care of ahead of this proposed tournament.
To round off the episode, the talk then shifts over to Europe and Asia for the weekly roundup of German and Korean football, with lots of interesting games to analyze in both circuits.
And with everything going on in the US, Canada and all around the world, as people justly stand up against systemic racism in the wake of the George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery murders, Alex and Sam also both share their thoughts on the importance of supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, while tipping their cap to those in the Bundesliga this weekend who did just that.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, this time to discuss the American and Canadian soccer scene as a whole, as various leagues within the two countries prepare for a return.
They start with a look at the MLS plan for a return, with Orlando remaining as the likely hub city solution there, before shifting towards the return of the CPL, where various hub city candidates have not yet been whittled down, and teams await a return to individual training.
Lastly, they take a look at the one North American league that has officially announced a return, the NWSL, and how their idea for a return can inspire others to follow suit, while also boosting women's soccer interest in both Canada and the US.
To wrap up the episode, they then take a tour of the week that was in Bundesliga and KLeague action, where Alphonso Davies and Doneil Henry continued to shine for their various clubs, while the quality of play ramps up across the board.
In this episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back, this time to discuss German Soccer! With the Bundesliga's return, they dive into the first weekend back, and their impressions on how things went. They then shift talk over to Korea, where the KLeague's return is continuing, and take a look at how Doneil Henry fared this week. In the 2nd part of the show, they then shift talk over to North America, and discuss the potential of both the MLS and the CPL returning, albeit with a 'hub city' solution, before rounding things off with some MLS kit discussion and their answers to some hypothetical questions.
In this episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back, this time to actually discuss live soccer! Thanks to the return of the KLeague in Korea, live soccer is back, with the Bundesliga set to join them this weekend. As a result, they both dive into a match they had a close eye on, the Suwon Samsung Bluewings versus the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, as former Whitecap Doneil Henry was quite present in that match. Aside from that, they also dive into some MLS chat, with teams now able to return to training, along with some CPL chat, as an outgoing transfer from that league made big waves this week. It's a packed episode, as usual, so sit back, and enjoy!
In this episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back once again, this time to chat about the Vancouver Whitecaps. From the recent initiatives that the club has been engaged in to help out around the city, to other news and nostalgic memories about the club, this episode is about all things Whitecaps. And, as a bonus, at the end is a special interview conducted by Alex with Whitecaps winger David Milinkovic, who took the time to sit down and share how things were going for him during this self-isolation period.
In this 12th episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back, this time to take a look at the latest news in the global soccer world. They look at how MLS is slowly setting the stage for a return to play in North America, as leagues such as the South Korea's KLeague get set to return this week, with the potential success or failure of that venture likely to be something that MLS is following closely. After that, Alex lays out his argument on why leagues should consider finishing this year's season before worrying about the next one, in the wake of decisions made by leagues in France, Holland and Belgium. The episode then rounds off with a look at the USWNT'S fight for Equal Pay, and why it's ridiculous how their own federation has taken this battle so far, despite all that the women have done for them.
In this episode, Alex and Sam look at the current situation in North America's soccer landscape, as things start to heat up on both sides of the border. Up in Canada, the players have unionized, giving them a much-needed voice, while down in the US, things are getting heated between the league and the MLSPA, with Mexico rounding things off with talk of an MLS/Liga MX Super League. They then take a look elsewhere in the world, taking a look at the sports impending return to Germany and South Korea, before making an ode to the good old Whitecaps days.
Alex and Sam are back with another episode of the Third Sub! In this one, things take a more serious turn, as they dive into the Anthony Blondell situation that has recently come to light, before taking a pivot over to the 2008 Whitecaps Women's Scandal that reached the public consciousness just over a year ago. They also take a look at the need for a Canadian Premier League players union, before taking a look at how and when the MLS could potentially make a return to action.
Alex and Sam are back with a bonus episode of the Third Sub! In this special episode, they break down the recent Whitecaps zoom call availability, in which they had the chance to ask questions to midfielder Russell Teibert and goalkeeper Max Crepeau, looking at how the two 'Caps stars are coping with this new reality. From helping the new guys integrate into the squad, to keeping fit, they've been busy, and the guys are here to break it all down.
Alex and Sam are back with their latest episode of the Third Sub! In this one, they break down the latest news surrounding COVID-19 and football, take a look at what the Whitecaps are up to during this break, and then take a blast back to the past, where they break down their choices for their Whitecaps Mount Rushmore. Stay tuned for the end, where they also pick their 'Third Sub' Mount Rushmore, littered with legends of Whitecaps MLS past.
Alex and Sam are once again joined by Keveren Guillou in the 2nd part of Episode 7, as they dive into some of the audio from Dr. Jim Bovard and Mark Pannes' press conference from last week. They chat about what COVID-19 could do for the short and long term future of the Whitecaps, how it affects staff, players, season tickets before looking at how it could also affect MLS. They then round things off with a look at some fonder memories, including their first submission to the 'Third Sub Hall of Fame'.
In part 1 of Episode 7, Alex and Sam are joined by Keveren, the head photographer of Between The Sticks. They chat about what it's like to be a photographer when games aren't on, and then talk about a game he would have been at before COVID-19 struck all over the world: Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago at Westhills Stadium in Victoria. They also round off part 1 with a look at how COVID-19 could impact the global football calendar. Part 2 to drop in the coming days, so stay tuned for that.
Alex and Sam are back for their latest episode of the Third Sub! In this one, they share their experience so far as sportswriters without sports, before diving into a couple of other topics, including the long term problem facing MLS, Alex's Football Manager odyssey, Carl Robinson and some questions surrounding COVID-19. They also promise (once again) the presence of some special guests in next week's episode... But joking aside, it's a jam-packed episode, so you won't want to miss it!
Alex and Sam are back for the 5th episode of the Third Sub, where they get to talk about a Whitecaps victory! After the Whitecaps lost their opening day bout with Sporting Kansas City, they flew down to LA to take on the Galaxy, winning by a score of 1-0. On this episode, they break down this game, look ahead to next weekend's clash, look at how complete they think this squad is, talk about COVID-19 (coronavirus) and it's impact on soccer, take a look around MLS and more.
In their 4th episode of the Third Sub, Alex and Sam are back to pick over the bones of a tough opening day Whitecaps loss to Sporting Kansas City. The result sucks, but it is early, so they also look ahead to why things could change in a matter of weeks, starting with this weekend against the LA Galaxy. They also look at some new signings, MLS's opening day weekend, their 'Third Sub' of the game and what could one day push Alex to go swimming and dye his hair blonde.
Back with their 3rd episode, Sam and Alex look back at Vancouver's last week of preseason, before looking ahead to their first game of the MLS season. They also round things off with a look at some CPL and Canadian Soccer news.
Alex and Sam are back with the second episode of the Third Sub, as they break down the happenings of the Vancouver Whitecaps, before looking at the recent CanMNT and CPL news. They then wrap things up with a way too early look at their Whitecaps awards.
Welcome to the 1st episode of the Third Sub, a podcast covering all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Soccer and more. With your hosts, Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic and Samuel Rowan, you'll get to hear the ins and outs of the Vancouver and Canadian soccer scene, as they share the many thoughts they have on the sport in this city and country.